Flames recovered from a 2 goal deficit to level at a pair each, but Steelers blew open a tie game in the 3rd when they scored 4 unanswered across the final set to pack for home on the back of a 6-2 win over the Flames on Spectrum ice.
After possessing the bulk of the play across the 1st, Steelers finally found a way through 40 seconds from period time with a Robert Dowd goal that gave them a lead at the break.
The next period started to get late before the next goal when Steelers doubled their advantage through Patrick Watling at 36:50, but Flames pulled it even quickly thanks to Ryan Tait less than a minute later and Steven McParland a little over a minute after that set up a winner take all 3rd.
In that final set, Steelers broke free with a pair of early quick goals; Mikko Juusola putting his side in front at 45:29 and Mark Simpson creating the breathing room at 46:50. Kevin Tansey, on a powerplay, then Scott Allen put the game away inside the final 5 minutes with their goals 14 seconds apart.
Eamon McAdam made 38 saves on 44 shots while Matthew Greenfield backed Sheffield with 38 saves on 40 tries.
“It’s an unfortunate ending in a game where we were able to turn the play around after they were the better team in 1st period to get some decent chances and take a tie game into the 3rd on home ice,” said Paul Dixon.
“Often when that happens you can take a burst of confidence into the remainder of the game and find a way through, but obviously that is not the way things went.”
“They are a talented team and even the smallest lapse is costly against them and they jumped on us in the 3rd to put the game out of reach.”
“We have a full week of training ahead of us and we will need to review some things we need to clean up in order to make better use of a tight game heading down the stretch.”
“We will move on and see what we can do about Fife’s visit on Sunday.”
