HV71 Jonkoping 5 Sheffield Steelers 3: Plenty of early promise for Steelers despite opening defeat in CHL

Robert Dowd scores Steelers' equaliser four minutes into the third period. Picture: Dean Woolley.

The Steelers were outshot 17-5 in the first session but the Swedes only had Mattias Tedenby’s powerplay strike to show for their early dominance.

The visitors came out a different team in the middle period and equalised at 23.22 when John Armstrong crashed the net.

But, when Guillaume Desbiens went to the penalty box for tripping, HV71 struck again on the man advantage, this time Martin Tornberg the scorer.

Mike Ratchuk's (hidden) shot flies past the HV71 goaltender to bring Steelers back to within one goal in Sweden. Picture: Dean Woolley.

It became 3-1 at 34.43 on a delayed penalty with the extra attacker Christoffer Persson joining the play to score.

Many teams could have folded but the Steelers showed great character and Mike Ratchuk made it 3-2 at 38.25.

The Steelers stunned their hosts four minutes into the third when Robert Dowd equalised with Anders Franzon assisting.

Then, with just 9.29 remaining John Armstrong was called for slashing and it took just 17 seconds for Dylan Reese to find the back of the net for the eventual game-winner.

The Steelers pressed looking for an equaliser, but HV71 added a fifth when Par Arlbradt converted on a two on one breakaway.