It’s Grand Slam glory for the Steelers who showed another side to their imperious game this evening to soak up pressure and fire home a brace in the first period to lift all three trophies available.

Two goals on a major first period powerplay from Daniel Ciampini and Mikko Juusola was topped off with a Kevin Tansey 200ft Empty Netter to give the Steelers the two goal victory against a Giants team that kept coming for sixty minutes.

First Period [2-0]

Advantage to the Steelers after the first twenty with two quick goals on a major powerplay for Daniel Ciampini and Mikko Juusola.

The Giants certainly having the better of the first ten minutes with Greenfield being called on for a couple of spectacular saves, especially through Ciampini and Tansey minor infringements. The penalty killers also doing well to keep their shape and box out the Belfast powerplay units as much as possible.

The tide however turned in the fifteenth minute when Watling was boarded behind the goal of Greenfield and a Referee’s review confirmed the five-minute major for Greg Printz.

Away went the powerplay units of the Steelers and found the opener at (15.49) thanks to Daniel Ciampini who was lurking at the back post and reacted quickest to a loose puck to send home and wheel away to the huge number of Steelers fans in the crowd. Assists award to Brandon Whistle and Dominic Cormier.

The lead was then doubled shortly after at (16.24) by Mikko Juusola on an unassisted effort. Jackson Whistle unable to hold on to a Mitchel Balmas effort and some nifty footwork from Juusola brought the puck down and onto the tape to fire home for the Steelers second.

Goal scorer Juusola then called for holding to shorten the advantage on the major powerplay as the first period came to an end.

Second Period [2-1]

A period to soak up pressure to the Steelers and they looked to have gotten out of the period with the two-goal advantage gained in the first, but with only eight seconds left on the clock, the Giants were back within one.

It was twenty minutes of resilience and resolute defending for the Steelers and the players missing from the line up and running three mixed lines started to show and take effect. Despite the sustained pressure, the Giants were only able to make up 17 shots on the goal of Greenfield after forty minutes as the Steelers continued to do what they needed to keep efforts to the outside and get sticks in the lane when needed.

However, it was eight seconds too much for the Steelers when Scott Allen was called in the 38^th minute for roughing as his man turned into him behind the goal of Greenfield. The Steelers arguing for no penalty at all whilst the Giants called for a five-minute major. The Steelers certainly feeling like they had been on the rough end of the officials calls up to that point.

As the clocked ticked down and eyes started to turn to the third period, up popped Blake Speers, taking the feed from Ara Nazarian to pick his spot top corner and find the space through the crowded area to beat a screened Greenfield above the blocker at (39.52) and make it all to play for in the final period of regulation.

Third Period [3-1]

Another twenty minutes of resolute defensive work from the Steelers in the final period giving absolutely nothing to the Giants who came in wave after wave, seeing off another 13 efforts on the goal of Greenfield who was outstanding from puck-drop, tallying an astonishing 96.67% save percentage to lead the Steelers to glory.

With the Giants unable to pierce the defences, Jackson Whistle was pulled to the bench for the extra attacker leaving Kevin Tansey to put the cherry on top of the cake with an Empty Net goal from nearly 200 feet away at (58.57) to seal the deal and secure all three trophies on offer to complete the coveted Grand slam!

It’s the final game of the 223/24 season!

After eight months, some incredible highs and terrible lows, and over 330 games, the season now comes down to Sheffield Steelers and Belfast Giants playing for the year’s final trophy.

Sheffield head into this game seeking their first Grand Slam in the Elite League era. The Steelers have already won the League and Challenge Cup titles this season, and this group of players could write themselves into the club’s history by deliver the organisation’s first clean sweep since 2001, and only third ever.

Belfast have earned the right to try and stop them as they look to defend the only trophy remaining from their Grand Slam last season. The Giants were eliminated in the Cup Quarter-Finals, and finished only a distant third in the league, making today their first shot at a trophy this season.

The 2024 Playoff Final is live on Premier Sports for viewers in the UK and Ireland, and online for the Rest of the World – click here for more details.

It’s the game no one wants to play in, but nevertheless is a small way to end the season on a positive note.

Cardiff Devils face Guildford Flames in the third place playoff at the 2024 Finals Weekend in what will be the season-ending game for each team.

This game can be watched live online – click here to view it.

The sides split their regular season series, which was often feisty, with three wins each in league action.

Photo: EIHL

The Steelers booked their place in the Play Off Grand Final this evening with a three goal victory over the Guildford Flames and their adopted fans throughout the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.

With the teams tied at one apiece after two periods, the Flames then went ahead early in the third before the Steelers put their foot on the accelerator to add three unanswered in less than five minutes, finished off with a Scott Allen empty net, short handed effort.

Steelers other goal scorers were Josh Nicholls, Brien Diffley, Mitchell Balmas, Brandon Whistle and Daniel Ciampini as Patrick Watling also picked up the Man of the Match award for his relentless effort and two assists.

The downside for the Steelers being the loss of both Marco Vallerand and Brett Neumann to injuries during the contest as the Steelers will be on watch for their recovery and that of Mark Simpson who was sidelined before the game.

First Period [1-0]

Advantage to the Steelers after the first period as they found the only goal of the twenty on the powerplay with only 18 seconds remaining.

A fast-paced period from both teams was littered with chances as the Steelers had the better of the Grade-A’s. Patrick Watling being denied from close range early and Scott Allen’s shot midway through the period being sent high and wide as he was afforded a bit of time in the dangerous area following a brilliant shift from the Ciampini line, hemming the Flames into their own zone.

The netminders going on to face 18 shots between them with Guilford’s Taz Burman facing the better share at 11 at the time of the first buzzer.

Before the Steelers found their go-ahead goal, it was devastation for Marco Vallerand when he was stretchered off the ice after colliding awkwardly with the boards behind the Flames’ goal and would certainly be taking no further part in the contest with all fingers crossed for a quick return.

However, it was a man advantage that gave the Steelers the opportunity to get themselves on the board when Matt Alvaro was called for slashing in the eighteenth minute. The goal timed at (19.42) and finished by Josh Nicholls with a lovely tip front just in front of the blue paint as he deflected home a feed from top point scorer, Mitchell Balmas with Patrick Watling picking up the secondary assist.

Second Period [1-1]

Despite the Steelers adding to their lead on the shot count, the Flames were back level at the end of forty minutes, picking up the only goal of the second period.

It was more bad news on the injury front too for the Steelers as Brett Neumann was the next to be seen by the medical staff and ruled out for the remainder of the game as he headed down the tunnel clutching his arm and wrist.

The Flames goal coming five on five after the steelers killed off their first penalty of the game after Brandon Whistle was sent to the box for hooking his opponent in the defensive zone. Goal timed at (28.10) on a broken play as a battle ensued behind the Steelers goal with the puck being sent out into an open slot area to land nicely with Jordan Klimek who snapped one top corner over the catcher of Matt Greenfield. Assist awarded to Matt Tugnutt.

As the teams drew level, the physicality started to ramp up with both teams putting in several big hits. Daniel Ciampini and Ryan Hughes nearly coming to blows towards the end of the period, being separated by the officials and having two minutes in the box to cool off for roughing.

The Steelers therefore heading into the final period two major forwards down but hoping to keep pressure on the Flames and make their shot count advantage pay in the final twenty of regulation to keep their Grand Slam ambitions intact.

Third Period [6-3]

An all action third period saw the goal buzzer sounding on seven different occasions as the Steelers booked their place in the Play Off Grand Final with a three goal victory.

It needed the Steelers to dig deep once again and come from behind as the Flames took their first lead of the contest early in the period at (43.21). Matt Alvaro with the finish after an unfortunate deflection from Kevin Tansey’s stick took the puck to the back post of Greenfield’s goal leaving the Steelers netminder with no chance.

However, the Steelers were back level just over a minute later at (44.36). Brien Diffley with the equaliser from the blue line of the Flames zone, floating one in looking for a tip and getting just that, but from the Flames’ McParland as Burman was completely wrong footed.

Nobody has been able to keep Mitchel Balmas quiet all season and he was back on the scoreboard again at (49.39) as the Steelers found themselves back in front at 3-2. Patrick Watling using his speed to round the net and send the puck out front and Balmas made no mistake firing home into an empty net with Burman scrambling.

Backwards and forwards it went and the Flames were back level once again at (52.35). Steven McParland with a nice finish on a feed from Patrick Bajkov.

It was all Steelers from then on in as the foot was firmly on the accelerator as they left the Flames behind with three unanswered efforts.

The first of those from Brandon Whistle at (54.26). A great quick snapshot by the GB Centre latching onto a bouncing puck in the slot which was past a screened Burman in a flash.

Five then up for the Steelers shortly after at (55.45). Daniel Ciampini jumping onto a loose puck in the Flames zone, quickly turning and finding the gap over Burman’s shoulder to ease the nerves in the large Steelers crowd.

The nerves then settled even further at (59.00) as Scott Allen registered a short-handed, empty netter to seal the deal to send the Steelers into the Play Off Grand Final and chance at the coveted Grand Slam.

Patrick Watling awarded with the Man of the Match award for a fantastic game, as always non-stop when on the ice and also picking up two assists.