Mitchell Balmas Hits five-goal weekend but Insists Sheffield Steelers success comes first
Mitchell Balmas was on target against Nottingham Pathers and Glasgow Clan over the weekend
Mitchell Balmas enjoyed a remarkable five-goal weekend for Sheffield Steelers — but was quick to insist the team’s results mattered far more than his own personal tally.
Balmas scored twice in Saturday night’s 3-2 overtime Challenge Cup victory over Nottingham Panthers before completing a hat-trick less than 24 hours later as Sheffield opened their Elite League campaign with a convincing 6-1 win at Glasgow Clan.
The Canadian forward therefore finished the weekend with five goals from two games as the Steelers collected maximum points.
“It’s always nice to be able to contribute to the team and help out,” said Balmas. “But at the end of the day, the individual stuff is secondary.
“Four points is what I’m most happy about and now we’re going to look to keep moving forward.”
Sheffield faced a quick turnaround after the emotion of Saturday’s rivalry win against Nottingham, travelling north before taking to the ice again on Sunday afternoon.
There was little sign of fatigue.
Balmas opened the scoring after just 3:38 in Glasgow and added a second little more than three minutes later as Aaron Fox’s side quickly took control.
“I thought we were ready to play early on,” he said. “Even with the quick turnaround, the early morning and the bus ride, we came out ready.
“We were able to capitalise on our chances early and then I thought we controlled the game.”
Balmas’ first came after Brien Diffley helped create the opportunity through the middle.
“Diff makes a nice play and gets the puck loose,” he explained. “I was able to get there first and get a quick shot away.”
The second carried a little more fortune.
“That one might have been a bit lucky,” he admitted. “It hit a broken stick in the slot and came to me, but again I just tried to get the shot away quickly.”
His hat-trick goal arrived in the second period after Brandon Whistle created the opening.
“Wis makes a fantastic play,” said Balmas. “He draws the guy in, waits and then slides it across perfectly. I was able to pick my spot.
“But the important thing was getting the two points and starting the league season the right way.”
Balmas had already scored both of Sheffield’s regulation goals against Nottingham the previous evening before Ryan Tait eventually won the game in overtime.
The Steelers now have little time to dwell on their successful weekend, with another league road trip to Guildford Flames on Wednesday.