Sheffield Steelers come From behind to beat Cardiff Devils
Sheffield Steelers bounced back from their midweek defeat to beat Cardiff Devils
Sheffield Steelers came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over Cardiff Devils at the Utilita Arena on Saturday night.
Ryan Barrow gave Cardiff the lead in the opening period, but goals from Brandon Whistle and Mitchell Balmas turned the game around before Macoy Erkamps sealed the result with an empty-net strike late on.
The Steelers made a positive start and came close to opening the scoring when Ryan Tait hit the post.
Sheffield continued to create chances, but it was Cardiff who struck first.
A turnover at the blue line released Barrow clean through on Matt Greenfield and the Devils forward finished high over the Steelers netminder to make it 1-0.
Sheffield responded strongly and levelled late in the first period on the power play.
Dominic Cormier sent the puck towards goal and Whistle produced the decisive touch in front of Ben Bowns to make it 1-1.
The goal was Whistle’s second in as many games and extended his point streak to four.
The Steelers then moved ahead in the second period while shorthanded.
With Tim Gettinger serving a delay-of-game penalty, Mikko Juusola broke forward and helped create the opportunity.
After the initial chance was blocked, Juusola regained possession behind the net and found Balmas, who finished into the open goal.
It was Balmas’ eighth goal of the season and gave Sheffield a 2-1 lead heading into the final period.
Cardiff pushed hard for an equaliser in the third, with Riley Brandt breaking clear on Greenfield, but the Steelers goaltender made an important save to preserve the advantage.
Sheffield then defended with discipline as the Devils increased the pressure late on.
Cardiff called a timeout and withdrew Bowns for an extra attacker, but the move backfired.
Greenfield moved the puck to Erkamps, who fired into the empty net to make it 3-1 and score his first goal as a Steeler.
Olivier Archambault was named Sheffield’s man of the match, while Barrow took the award for Cardiff.
The victory continued Sheffield’s strong start to the season and provided an immediate response following their midweek defeat in Guildford.