Vanio's OT winners keeps Steelers in title hunt

Photo: Sheffield Steelers

An overtime winner from Veeti Vainio scored just nine seconds before time got Sheffield Steelers the two points they needed to stay three off league leaders Belfast Giants. 7,691 fans saw the Steelers beat Guildford Flames 2-1 in a low-scoring but nevertheless enjoyable game.

Wearing special retro jerseys, the Steelers saluted former player Scott Allison before opening faceoff.

The Steelers and Flames were level with no score through the 20 minutes of the first period. Marc-Olivier Vallerand couldn't quite get on the end of a Robert Dowd pass to convert, while a Daniel Ciampini tip also called Jake Kupsky into action. Guildford continued to be dangerous on the rush the other way, and were almost ahead through an individual effort by captain Brett Ferguson only for him to shoot wide. The Flames almost scored on the final play of the period but saw James Shearer shoot over on the buzzer.

Sheffield started period two the stronger again, but without anything to show for their pressure. Around the midway point of the period, Vallerand saved down the left wing and shot from an angle, only for Kupsky to get something behind it and force the puck over.

Guildford took the lead with 79 seconds left in the period. A puck behind the net landed kindly for Lewis Hook to throw it in front to Daniel Catenacci to beat a wrong-footed Greenfield and open the scoring.

Just over eight minutes into period three, an excellent Brandon Whistle pass into the slot was somehow put wide by Mikko Juusola, but on the very next play they did tie things. Colton Saucerman's shot from the point was tipped by Samuel Tremblay in front to wrong-foot Kupsky and sail into the net at 49:05. The goal was confirmed after a quick check for a possible high stick.

A penalty on Zack Hoffman for continuing to fight Robert Dowd after the linespersons had intervened put the Steelers on a man advantage, but they couldn't find a way through. The home side had a lot of late pressure, including the Flames pinned in their own zone with only four sticks, but without a winning goal.

Overtime felt like a fair result, and while Vallerand shot over and the Steelers pushed, the crowd became very nervous each time Guildford got the puck. A poor change from the Steelers almost let the Flames win it, but passing between Daniel Tedesco and Catenacci saw the chance go begging. With things looking like they would be decided in a shootout, a stretch pass from Patrick Watling set Vainio through on Kupsky, and the defenseman sniped into the top corner to win it for the Steelers.