Encouraging Sheffield Steelers edged out in seven-goal Cardiff Devils thriller
Cardiff Devils 4-3 Sheffield Steelers
Sheffield Steelers began their preparations for the new season with an encouraging performance in Cardiff on Saturday night, narrowly going down 4-3 to the Devils in their opening exhibition fixture.
Whilst it was a first competitive run-out of the summer for Aaron Fox's new-look Steelers side, Cardiff entered the contest having already played four games, but there was little to separate the teams throughout an entertaining encounter.
The Steelers made the perfect start, taking the lead inside the opening minute.
Ryan Tait used his speed down the right wing before firing on goal. Cardiff netminder Stoever made the initial save, but new signing Adam Rockwood was on hand to convert the rebound and score his first goal in Steelers colours.
Cardiff responded on the power play, Yaremko converting after being found by MacDonald to level the scores.
MacDonald then went from provider to scorer just a minute later when a bouncing puck couldn't be cleared by the Steelers defence and eventually fell kindly for the Devils forward in front of Matt Greenfield, who made no mistake to give Cardiff a 2-1 first-period lead.
Sheffield produced an impressive response in the middle session and dominated much of the opening exchanges. At 23.05 another summer arrival, Leevi Teissala, scored his first Steelers goal with an excellent wrist shot from the top of the circle that beat Stoever to tie the game at 2-2.
The turnaround was completed at 30.28 when Dominic Cormier fired from the right wing. Stoever appeared to have made the save but couldn't control the puck, which trickled over the goal line to put Sheffield 3-2 ahead.
The Steelers had further opportunities, with new signing Logan Roe combining well with Rockwood and captain Robert Dowd, but they couldn't add to their advantage and took the one-goal lead into the second interval.
Fox changed his netminder for the final period, resting Greenfield and giving Lucas Brine his first minutes in goal for the club.
Cardiff began to build momentum and, after Sheffield had successfully killed a Tim Gettinger tripping penalty, the Devils drew level at 45.53.
A hard pass out of the corner found Riley Brandt, whose one-timer gave Brine little chance as Cardiff made it 3-3.
The game opened up as both sides searched for the winner. Teissala's quick hands created another opportunity that was denied by Stoever, while at the other end Brine stood tall when Bayley Harewood broke clear.
Cardiff eventually found the decisive goal in the 50th minute when Mieho reacted quickest to a loose puck in front of the Sheffield net and forced it between Brine's legs for a 4-3 lead.
The Steelers pushed hard for a late equaliser and Brine was pulled for the extra attacker in the closing stages, but the Devils held firm to secure the victory. Despite the result, there was plenty for Fox to be encouraged by from his side's first outing, especially against a Cardiff team with four games already under their belts.
Three different Steelers found the net, including first goals for new arrivals Rockwood and Teissala, while Fox was also able to give valuable ice time to both of his goaltenders.
The Steelers now have an immediate opportunity to turn the tables when the two sides meet again at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on Sunday afternoon, face-off 4pm, in the return exhibition fixture.
Cardiff Devils 4-3 Sheffield Steelers
Period scores: 2-1, 0-2, 2-0 Steelers scorers: Adam Rockwood, Leevi Teissala, Dominic Cormier.