Chase Gresock double sinks Sheffield Steelers as Guildford Flames take victory
Sheffield Steelers were undone by a brace from Chase Gresock at the Spectrum
Sheffield Steelers suffered their first Elite League defeat of the season on Wednesday night as Guildford Flames pulled away in the third period to win 7-4 at the Spectrum.
The game had been finely balanced at 4-4 midway through the final period before Chase Gresock scored twice in 80 seconds to swing the contest decisively in Guildford’s favour.
Sheffield had led three times during the opening 40 minutes and made a positive start when Sean Collins opened the scoring at 5:57, assisted by Evan Jasper and Macoy Erkamps.
Guildford responded through Jake Willets, but the Steelers regained the lead at 15:26 when Jasper converted from Brandon Whistle’s assist.
Again the Flames hit back quickly, Karl Boudrias levelling the game at 2-2 before the first intermission.
The pattern continued in the second period.
Whistle restored Sheffield’s lead at 27:31, finishing from Olivier Archambault’s pass, but Matt Alvaro equalised for Guildford less than two minutes later.
The teams therefore went into the final period tied at 3-3.
Guildford moved ahead for the first time at 44:29 when Cole Sanford made it 4-3, but Sheffield responded quickly once more.
Brien Diffley found the net at 46:03, assisted by Ivan Björkly-Nordström and Mitchell Balmas, to bring the Steelers level at 4-4.
That proved to be the final time Sheffield were on terms.
Gresock scored at 46:45 to put Guildford back in front and then struck again on the power play at 48:05 after Steelers netminder Matt Greenfield had been penalised for delay of game.
The two goals, separated by just 80 seconds, gave the Flames a 6-4 advantage and left Sheffield chasing the game.
Aaron Fox called a timeout as the visitors looked for a way back, but penalties to Brandon Whistle and Logan Roe made the task increasingly difficult.
Sheffield pulled Greenfield for an extra attacker late on, but former Steeler Brett Neumann sealed the result with an empty-net goal at 59:40.
Whistle, who finished with a goal and an assist, was named Sheffield’s man of the match, while Gresock took the award for Guildford.
The defeat leaves the Steelers with two points from their opening two league games after Sunday’s 6-1 win in Glasgow.
Sheffield return to home ice on Saturday when Cardiff Devils visit the Utilita Arena, with face-off at 7pm.