Steelers two up in Cup Semi after first leg

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers will take a two-goal advantage into their Challenge Cup Semi-Final second leg tie against Cardiff Devils after logging a 5-3 win on Wednesday night at the Utilita Arena.

The Steelers restricted the Devils to just one shot in an opening period that the home side dominated. Marc-Olivier Vallerand had a shot come back off the crossbar early, but the Steelers were deservedly ahead at 9:17 when Veeti Vainio's shot from the point was deflected en route to Mac Carruth by Daniel Ciampini and then by Cole Shudra. Under five minutes later it was 2-0 as a Daniel Leavens pass was one-timed home by Joona Huttula from a tight angle. Ciampini got another post before the period was out as the visitors were lucky to escape just two behind.

Cardiff started period two the stronger, and had the Steelers pinned back in their own zone for long stretches. Their efforts paid off with a powerplay goal converted in front by Joey martin while Brien Diffley sat a holding minor. Having then had chances to tie the game, the Devils took a slashing minor in the offensive zone and were punished back the other way - Mitchell Balmas being given too much space and beating Carruth blocker side from an angle. The momentum began shifting back to the Steelers, but after a Cole Sanford penalty had been killed off the Steelers turned the puck over while entering the zone, allowing the Devils to break the other way, Kohen Olischefski fed Sanford in front who beat Greenfield at the second attempt to make it 3-2 at 34:22.

Jarrod Gourley cleared a puck off the line after Kevin Tansey’s shot got past Carruth, while a speedy Mikko Juusola break down the wing was stopped by a combination of Josh Batch and Carruth.

Andrew MacWilliam stopped Mitchell Balmas as the Steelers broke 2-on-1, but his hook put the Devils short and they were back two down at 42:23 on the resulting powerplay off a Patrick Watling one-timer. Tyler Busch then took another minor some 90 seconds later, and after chaos around the Devils net which Carruth did well to turn away, the puck broke to Daniel Leavens to score with 46:36 played.

The Devils pulled a goal back with 9:57 remaining on a strange play. While most of the crowd, and indeed the cameras, were focused on a scrum developing between Colton Saucerman and Tyler Busch, the Devils broke up the ice and saw Sanford slot the puck under Greenfield to make it a 5-3 game. While the referee had his arm up for a penalty, there was no whistle and the play correctly continued, eventually resulting in the goal.

That would be the final goal of the game. With an offensive zone faceoff with 34 seconds to go, the Devils opted for a timeout but couldn't hold the puck in the zone.