Steelers go five points clear

Photos: Dean Woolley

A full house of 9,118 at the FlyDSA Arena saw Sheffield Steelers extend their lead at the top of the Elite League to five points with a four-goal win against Guildford.

The Flames had the better of the opening exchanges and were rewarded with the lead at 7:41 as Ian Watters' shot deflected and looped up over Tomásš Duba and into the net. However, Brendan Connolly's one-timer levelled the scores at 8:47  with Travis Fullerton unable to hold on to the puck as the first ended one each.

Period two was all about special teams. Powerplay goals for the Steelers from Tanner Eberle and Brendan Connolly at 27:48 and 29:47 respectively put the hosts 3-1 ahead, while the Flames were unable to take advantage of a 5-on-3 and two other one-man advantages in the period. Jamie Crooks' missed penalty shot at 30:57 kept the visitors two goals behind.

The points were as good as safe when Eberle made it 4-1 1:57 into period three, and then an Anthony DeLuca penalty shot at 43:41 made it five. Josef Hrabal extended the Steelers' lead out to 6-1 at 47:21, with Jamie Crooks getting a late consolation for the visitors.