Sheffield Steelers responded to Wednesday’s shutout loss with an emphatic 8-1 win over Glasgow Clan at the Utilita Arena.
“It was a good game by everyone on the team,” said Steelers’ Kevin Tansey. “It was important we got the goal-scoring going again before the playoffs. We want to take this momentum into tomorrow and then into the playoffs.”
After a goalless opening period, the Steelers took control in the second. Evan Jasper set up Brett Ritchie in the high slot to open the scoring, and just 17 seconds later Mitchell Balmas doubled the lead with a wrist shot that wrong-footed Liam Souliere. The hosts added a third soon after, with Stephen Harper finishing from close range following Ritchie’s effort.
With 2:42 left in the period, Sheffield made it four as Mitchell Heard set up Ryan Tait for a one-timer from the slot.
“I think this is one that we have to forget quickly,” said Clan’s Hugo Roy. “The good thing is that we get to play this team again tomorrow, in front of our home crowd. We just have to be better. It’s more about us getting ready for playoffs now.”
The Steelers continued their dominance into the third period. Tansey extended the lead early on before Heard scored against his former team at 53:57. Roy replied for Clan just 26 seconds later, but further goals from Robert Dowd and a second from Tansey completed the scoring.
“With friends and family in the building, it was very cool,” added Tansey. “It was a great experience to get one, two was really fun.”
Photo; Hayley Roberts
