Mitchell Balmas completed a five-goal weekend as Sheffield Steelers opened their Motorpoint Elite League campaign with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Glasgow Clan.

Less than 24 hours after scoring twice in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win against Nottingham Panthers, Balmas struck a hat-trick in Scotland as Aaron Fox’s side collected their first two league points of the season.

The Steelers made a flying start, with Balmas opening the scoring after just 3:38 before adding a second little more than three minutes later.

Sheffield continued to control the opening period and Dominic Cormier made it 3-0 at 14:51 after being set up by Leevi Teissala and Brien Diffley.

The visitors carried that momentum into the second period.

Ryan Tait extended the advantage just 86 seconds after the restart before Balmas completed his hat-trick at 28:35, with Brandon Whistle and Olivier Archambault providing the assists.

That left the Steelers 5-0 ahead after two periods and in complete control.

Sean Collins added a sixth early in the third, converting from Evan Jasper and Macoy Erkamps.

Glasgow finally got on the scoresheet through Alex Forbes at 49:07, ending Sheffield’s hopes of a shutout.

Lucas Brine then replaced Matt Greenfield in goal for the closing stages as the Steelers comfortably saw out the remainder of the contest.

It was an impressive opening league performance from Sheffield and another standout night for Balmas.

The forward finished the weekend with five goals in two games, having also scored both of the Steelers’ regulation goals against Nottingham on Saturday.

For Fox and his players, the 6-1 win represented an ideal start to their league campaign and a strong response less than 24 hours after an intense rivalry victory at the Utilita Arena.

Final score: Glasgow Clan 1-6 Sheffield Steelers.