The Steelers delivered a commanding response to last weekend’s shootout disappointment, producing a clinical and composed performance to defeat the Manchester Storm 5–2 at the Storm Shelter. Coming off a mixed weekend that included an emphatic 8–0 shutout of the Fife Flyers, the Steelers carried momentum, edge and intent across the Pennines, controlling long spells of the game and doing the bulk of the damage across the opening forty minutes. Against a Storm side that had frustrated them only a weekend earlier, the Steelers were ruthless when it mattered most.
With Eamon McAdam once again given the nod after his shutout last weekend, the Steelers looked settled from the opening faceoff despite missing Kevin Tansey and Cole Shudra, leaving them short on the fourth line. At the other end, Evan Weninger was tasked with repeating his heroics from Sunday’s shutout win for Manchester, but this time found himself under sustained pressure. The Steelers’ ability to move the puck quickly and stretch the Storm defence proved decisive, particularly at five-on-five.
Statistically, the Steelers earned their two points. They outshot the Storm 42–38 overall, dominated key moments at even strength, and finished with superior efficiency in front of goal. Special teams also leaned in the Steelers’ favour early, with a powerplay goal opening the scoring and setting the tone. While the Storm mounted a third-period push, the result never truly felt in doubt after the Steelers’ second-period surge.
Perhaps most encouraging for the Steelers was the spread of contributions throughout the lineup. Five goals came from four different scorers, while Ryan Tait’s pace and creativity made him a constant threat and a deserved Man of the Match.
First Period (0–1)
The opening period had all the hallmarks of a derby encounter, with physicality and tempo set from the very first shift. Evan Jasper laid an early hit in the Steelers’ zone as both sides tested the ice conditions, which appeared choppy early on, leading to a few bobbling pucks. McAdam was called into action quickly, reacting sharply at his back post for the game’s first meaningful save just over a minute in.
The Storm were handed an early opportunity when Reece Kelly was called for interference, but it was the Steelers who looked the more dangerous while short-handed. Jordon Southorn nearly stunned the home crowd with a heavy effort that rattled the crossbar, only for the play to be whistled dead for offside moments earlier. That warning shot seemed to sharpen the Steelers’ focus.
At even strength, the Steelers began to find their rhythm. Mikko Juusola and Ryan Tait both tested Weninger, while a relentless shift around the ten-minute mark hemmed the Storm in their own zone. The pressure continued to build, with Dominic Cormier striking the post and Stephen Harper drawing a penalty after crashing hard into the Storm netminder.
That breakthrough finally arrived on the powerplay. Patient puck movement pulled the Storm penalty killers out of shape, and Patrick Watling made no mistake, sniping top shelf from the right wing point via Mitchell Heard, with Southorn also collecting an assist. A late penalty against the Steelers briefly shifted momentum, but they saw out the period professionally, heading into the break deservedly ahead 1–0 and leading shots on goal 18–12.
Second Period (0–5)
If the first period laid the foundation, the second was where the Steelers blew the game wide open. After killing off the remainder of the late first-period penalty, the Steelers went straight back on the attack, earning another powerplay early on. While that advantage came and went without reward, it set the tone for what was to follow.
Ryan Tait doubled the lead with a goal that summed up the Steelers’ night; quick, direct and decisive. A sharp snapshot from the left circle found its way past Weninger, who appeared unsighted, and suddenly the Steelers had breathing room. From there, confidence surged through the bench, and the Storm struggled to stem the tide.
The middle portion of the period saw chances at both ends, with McAdam producing a crucial outstretched pad save to preserve the lead before the Steelers struck again. Mitchell Heard threaded a perfect pass into the slot for Brett Ritchie, who buried a one-timer with authority to make it 3–0. Just sixteen seconds later, the Storm were reeling again as Watling pounced on a rebound for his second of the night, extending the lead to four.
A Storm timeout did little to halt the momentum. The Steelers continued to cycle the puck expertly, wearing down tired legs, and were rewarded once more when Robert Dowd found Mikko Juusola in space. Juusola snapped home a beautiful finish top corner to cap a devastating four-goal period. By the second intermission, the Steelers held a commanding 5–0 lead and a 32–24 advantage in shots, having all but decided the contest.
Third Period (2–5)
To their credit, the Storm came out with renewed urgency in the third, throwing bodies forward in search of a way back into the game. The Steelers, however, remained largely composed, managing the clock and limiting high-danger opportunities while still threatening on the counterattack.
McAdam was forced into a pair of sharp saves early in the period, including a strong lateral movement to deny Gary Haden at the far post. At the other end, the Steelers nearly added a sixth when Kyle Watson danced around the defence and slipped the puck across the crease, only for there to be no stick on hand to apply the finish.
The Storm eventually found a way onto the scoresheet midway through the period. A scramble in front of the Steelers’ net saw Haden react quickest to slot home from close range, reducing the deficit. When Loren Ullett capitalised on a loose puck following a point shot through traffic, the Storm briefly injected life into the building at 5–2.
Any thoughts of a late comeback were quickly extinguished by calm, disciplined defending from the Steelers. McAdam remained alert through a couple of late scrums around his crease, and the visitors ran down the clock without unnecessary risk. When the final buzzer sounded, it confirmed a fully deserved road victory and two valuable league points heading back to Sheffield.
What’s Next
The Steelers are straight back to business tomorrow night as they return to home ice at the Utilita Arena to face the Dundee Stars. Attention then turns to a tough trip to Cardiff next weekend to take on the Devils, followed by another home fixture against the Coventry Blaze. With performances like this, the Steelers remain firmly in the hunt at the top end of the Elite League table.
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