Steelers hang on against Clan

Photo: Hayley Roberts

Sheffield Steelers survived some late Glasgow chances to record a 4-3 win over the Clan on Sunday afternoon in front of over 7,000 fans.

There were three goals in the opening period, and the majority of the Utilita Arena crowd enjoyed two for them. Clan took the lead on the powerplay with 4:38 played when Keaton Jamieson's blue-line shot went all the way through thanks to an excellent screen in front of Matt Greenfield. The goal Jamieson's first on the league in 44 attempts.

Just shy of the 21-minute mark, Felix Pare blocked a shot while killing a penalty but felt it, leaving his team with just three fully fit skaters - Robert Dowd worked the puck to Marc-Olivier Vallerand on the off wing to fire home and level the game. 79 seconds later, Mikko Juusola converted a penalty shot after Joe Hazeldine slashed him across the arm while the Finn attempted a shot on a breakaway.

Vallerand, who was playing his 300th Elite League game, made it 3-1 6:03 into period two with a shit that beat Bow on the glove side.

Clan hit a post in the period as they tried to get back into things, but their efforts paid dividends when Pare’s shot from the point went all the way through at 35:39 shorthanded.

As the home crowd began to grow nervous at the tight scoreline, Daniel Ciampini’s first goal since December gave the Steelers a two-goal advantage. The play was challenged by Corey Neilson for goalie interference, perhaps somewhat in hope more than expectation, but the goal stood.

Ciampini’s delight turned to disappointment after a giveaway as the Steelers looked to break out led to Clan getting another one back – the puck being worked to Cole Ully to just about find the side of the net with 4:31 to play.

With a late charging call on the Steelers, the Clan went 6-on-4 with over two minutes to play and eventually worked a shot for Ully that pinged out of bounds off the crossbar.

Clan called a time-out to hatch a plan, and almost tied the game with the final shot – the puck coming back off the post and Mitchell Heard batting it out of the air but not enough on it to go into the net.