Watch Sheffield Steelers open season in style with emphatic win over Coventry Blaze
Sheffield Steelers got the new season off to a flying start against Coventry Blaze at the Utilita Arena
Sheffield Steelers made the perfect start to the new season with a dominant 6-0 victory over Coventry Blaze at the Utilita Arena.
Aaron Fox’s side were three goals up after the opening period and never looked back, with six different scorers and a shutout for Matt Greenfield.
There was also a milestone night for captain Robert Dowd, whose third-period assist saw him draw level with Ron Shudra’s all-time Steelers points record.
The Steelers thought they had opened the scoring through Dowd early on, only for the goal to be ruled out after review.
They did not have to wait long, however, as Ivan Björkly-Nordström fired home the first competitive goal of the season.
Olivier Archambault then doubled the lead on the power play before Dowd redirected home the third to give Sheffield complete control after 20 minutes.
The second period followed a similar pattern.
Mikko Juusola scored just 18 seconds after the restart before Evan Jasper added a fifth with a superb finish into the top corner.
Coventry did create chances of their own, but Greenfield was in excellent form and Sheffield’s penalty-killing unit also came up with several important stops.
The sixth goal arrived in the third period through Leevi Teissala, continuing his strong form from pre-season.
Dowd picked up the assist on the play to equal Shudra’s club points record and add another significant moment to an already convincing opening-night victory.
The game became increasingly physical in the closing stages, but Sheffield remained composed and saw out the remainder of the contest without conceding.
Coventry actually edged the shot count 26-24, but the Steelers were far more clinical in front of goal.
Björkly-Nordström was named Steelers Man of the Match after scoring the opener and what proved to be the game-winning goal.
For Fox and his players, it was an emphatic way to begin the competitive campaign.
Final score: Sheffield Steelers 6-0 Coventry Blaze.