Sheffield Steelers v Cardiff Devils: Missing Marco Vallerand adds misery to defeat for Steelers

Sheffield Steelers - who lost a penalty shootout to Cardiff after a powderkeg clash at Sheffield Arena - are anxiously awaiting news on the full extent of top scorer Marco Vallerand's injury.
Tommaso Traversa fights Cardiff's Riley Brandt. Picture: Dean WoolleyTommaso Traversa fights Cardiff's Riley Brandt. Picture: Dean Woolley
Tommaso Traversa fights Cardiff's Riley Brandt. Picture: Dean Woolley

The winger was missing at the weekend.

The Star understands he was due to have a scan in Leeds on Friday, but a motorway closure meant he missed the appointment. It's been postponed until Monday.

At worst, Sheffield would have to place him on the reserve list and bring another man in. But finding like-for-like would be impossible.

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Vallerand has 49 points from 31 games and been described at the League's top player by his coach. His type do not frequently come on the market.

Sunday's epic match started with both sides bristling with aggression, none more than starting line-up winger Tomasso Traversa, who dropped the gloves with bigger opponent Riley Brandt, after 12 minutes.

After that, the action remained tense and at mesmerising pace.

Cardiff, who had demolished Guildford Flames 6-2 on Saturday with Cole Sanford staking a hat-trick, had the clearest chance of the first period.

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Sanford thought he'd scored again, but his shot hit Barry Brust's post and stayed out.

Justin Hodgman, Robert Dowd and John Armstrong had half-chances, none clean enough to get past netminder Mac Carruth.

The Cardiff 'keeper was the reason why Sheffield couldn't secure a lead worthy of their second period domination.

Passes from Vojtech Polak annd Brandon Whistle set up Matias Sointu and Evan Mosey respectively but they couldn't outfox him.

Barry Brust grabs the puck to thwart a Cardiff Devils attackBarry Brust grabs the puck to thwart a Cardiff Devils attack
Barry Brust grabs the puck to thwart a Cardiff Devils attack
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The American picked two stinging shots out of the air with almost arrogant assurance.

Steelers really missed Vallerand's contribution on two power plays. And the home fans may have wondered if they'd pay for not tucking their chances away.

They did have another decent fight to warm a February afternoon though, Robert Dowd retaliating to a Jake Coughler crosscheck with some nice right hands.

But Devils again hit the post - it was anybody's game.

Sheffield Steeers' John Armstrong competes for the puck against Cardiff DevilsSheffield Steeers' John Armstrong competes for the puck against Cardiff Devils
Sheffield Steeers' John Armstrong competes for the puck against Cardiff Devils

They opened the scoring through Coughler, on a disputed power play awarded against John Armstrong.

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Sheffield upped their workrate. Hodgman hit the outside of the post before his side equalised on the power play, Dowd's shot bouncing to Matias Sointu to backhand home.

Tommaso then got the goal he deserved with a looping effort over Carruth at 51:53.

But the Welsh were far from done. Trevor Cox made it 2-2 at 58:10.

Carruth stopped a one-on-one with Dowd in overtime and Sheffield came off second best in the penalty shootout, with Cox scoring the winner.

Steelers at least ended with an overtime point.

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Sheffield used to dislike going to the cramped confines of Manchester Storm's Altrincham Rink...not any more.

Saturday's 7-2 thumping of Ryan Finnerty's team followed earlier 8-3 and 7-4 wins there.

The visitors enjoyed a 4-0 middle period.

They had seven different scorers on the sheet, Schulze, Mosey, Latal, Sointu, Eberle, Dowd and Polak.

The game ended prematurely with 11 minutes left due to illness suffered by a home spectator. He made a full recovery.