Sheffield Steelers clinch cup in nail-biting final

Coach Aaron Fox collected his - and the season's - first EIHL trophy after a nail-biting, breathless Cup Final, in the finest traditions of sport.

It was a 4-3 win founded on team-work and chemistry.

And while the League season might be beyond Sheffield, Sunday's win at Cardiff Devils had a feeling that even better are things are to come.

Some 1,500 Sheffield fans celebrated in Wales after the first Challenge Cup Final victory since 2002/03.

Sheffield had defensive winger Janne Kolehmainen back in the line-up, at James Bettauer's expense, and were physical and fast in a pulsating opening period.

Sheffield goalie Tomáš Duba had endured a off-colour night in Friday's 7-3 humbling at the Viola Arena but he made a big save in the game's first penalty kill from Devils top 'plus-minus' skater Sam Jardine.

Brendan Connolly's gritty perseverance at both ends of the ice was mirrored by Tanner Eberle and Steelers' attitude meant they were deserving of the lead they carved out at 7:05.

In the middle of a line-change, John Armstrong stayed on and his influence led to a chance buried by Michael Davies.

Then Connolly did all the hard work down the right flank to create a second goal for Marco Vallerand at 8:34.

Hard work and ruthless finishing was doing the trick. And Sheffield were adopting the play off mentality that has been missing of late, finishing their hits and winning individual battles.

Sheffield, who beat Manchester Storm and Glasgow Clan in the knockout stages, were 3-0 to the good at 21:04.

Connolly had been hacked down en route to Ben Bowns' goal and he stroked in the penalty shot in almost relaxed style.

But Andrew Lord's men hit back three minutes later, with Jardine firing through traffic from centre blue line.

Duba then had to stop Blair Riley, scorer of a brace against Sheffield on Friday at 29 minutes.Both sides were brave in their challenges - Shaone Morrisonn blocking a goal-bound Vallerand effort.

But Sheffield were being penned in. Masi Marajamaki flashed wide but was more effective on his next raid, reducing the Welsh debt to 2-3, after a Sheffield turnover.

Vallerand was then dispossessed in his own zone and Gleason was unlucky not to equalise.

While Steelers were under the cosh, they retained the lead at the second interval.

And Duba kept their heads above water with a collection of saves from Joey Haddad, Mike McNamee and Charles Linglet.It felt like it was only a matter of time before Devils would benefit from their waves of attacks.Instead, Davies, with immaculate timing, crashed high into the net with 11 minutes remaining, for 4-2.

No frills Steelers defended if as if their lives depended on it.

But a lightning wrist shot from Haddad chopped Sheffield's advantage, with a minute left.

Sheffield held out - and unforgettable celebration scenes began.