Steelers extend lead at top in enthralling encounter

Photos: David Williams

An enthralling top of the table clash between Cardiff and Sheffield went the way of the Steelers thanks to a late winning goal.

Cardiff were a goal up after the first period thanks to Charles Linglet's opener with 10:34 played.

When Matt Pope finished on the powerplay at 28:11 the Devils looked comfortable, but they were to be undone by three Steelers' goals in under eight minutes. John Armstrong got the visitors back in the game at 30:35 with a shot from the faceoff circle that Ben Bowns may have wanted back, and just shy of two minutes later Marek Trončinský tied things up. On a delayed penalty the Steelers then took the lead with Michael Davies getting the shot off from the back post after smart play and good feed from Brendan Connolly with 37:52 played.

Blair Riley crashed home a powerplay equaliser 59 seconds into the final period, and great play from Joey Haddad saw him put the Devils ahead 50 seconds later. The Steelers weren't done however and got level thanks to Lucas Sandström tip-off Davies' shot at 54:03. 118 seconds later Marc-Olivier Vallerand bundled the puck over the line from close range to put the Steelers into a lead that they'd hang on to until the final buzzer.

The win means Sheffield go back five points ahead of the Devils in the title race, however Cardiff still have four games in hand.

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