Steelers stay top

Photos: Dean Woolley

A successful weekend for Sheffield saw the Steelers win games against teams chasing them for the league title, following up a win in Nottingham with their third home win against Belfast this season.

The Giants took the lead early as Ben Lake turned the puck over in the corner, and David Goodwin was the lucky recipient of the puck which he stuffed under Tomáš Duba for the game’s opener with 5:17 played. Sheffield were level only 74 seconds later thanks to Lucas Sandström keeping the play alive at the blueline and feeding Anthony DeLuca for a quick finish past Shane Owen.

Period two was a much quieter affair than the first with few chances at each end. Sheffield took the lead after a turnover in their own zone allowed DeLuca to be set free on a breakaway and squeeze the puck past Owen. Sheffield extended their lead to a two-goal cushion at 46:18 with a Ben O’Connor shot that deflected in off Curtis Hamilton’s skate at the top of the crease.

With Belfast chasing the game Brendan Connolly fired past Owen on another breakaway to ensure the Steelers would take both points with 3:57 left to play.

The win ensured that Sheffield stay top of the league heading into Week 27.

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