Steelers survive Clan fightback

Photos: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers came from a goal behind to get themselves into a comfortable four-goal lead, but were then thankful to survive a CLan comeback as they stayed top of the Elite League.

Nolan LaPorte gave the Clan the perfect start on the road putting his side up inside three minutes. Marc-Olivier Vallerand, who now tops the league's points standings, hit the Steelers' equaliser at 4:39, and by 8:28 Anthony DeLuca had given the hosts the lead. After two powerplay goals Brendan Connolly popped up with a shorthanded marker to give the Steelers a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes. 

Michael Davies finished off after pulling a fine move in the offensive zone to make it four at 25:16 before Jonathan Phillips converted 1-on-0 from DeLuca's pass 36 seconds later to make it 5-1. 

That goal however was a wake up call for the Clan who hit back thanks to Linden Springer's shot deflecting in off Ben O'Connor at 28:34. Exactly five minutes later Matt Beca scored from close range to make it a two-goal game. That was to be as far as the Clan's comeback would go as the Steelers held on for an important win.

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