How Sheffield Steelers, Sheffield Steeldogs and Hull Seahawks fared on Saturday
SHEFFIELD STEELERS kept in touch with the teams above them in the Elite League when after a five-goal blitz put them out of reach for hosts Manchester Storm.
The Steelers had lost 4-3 after a shootout at the same Altrincham building just a week earlier but, on this occasion, ensured they would not come off second best.
Patrick Watling scored the only goal of the first period when he struck on the power play at 14.59, with Ryan Tait doubling the Steelers’ lead 10 minutes later.
But it was a spate of three goals in six second period minutes that did the real damage to the hosts, Brett Ritchie getting his fourth goal seven games at 32.23 before Watling (inset) grabbed his second just 16 seconds later.
Mikko Juusola made it 5-0 at 38.01 and although Manchester responded in the third period with goals from Nick Welsh and Loren Ulett, the Steelers ran out comfortable 5-2 winners.
In NIHL National, Sheffield Steeldogs missed an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Swindon Wildcats when they went down 6-2 at Milton Keynes Lightning.
Swindon lost 5-2 at home to Romford Raiders but the Steeldogs couldn’t take advantage and remain nine points adrift having played a game more and with just 13 regular season games remaining.
Imports Walker Sommer and Bair Genduno ensured Slava Koulikov’s team went in all-square at the first break but the Lightning took control in the second with three unanswered goals, Dominik Gabaj making it 3-2 on the power play before Jordan Cownie and Jordan Spadafore also got past Steeldogs’ goalie Alex Oldale.
Harry Gulliver made the points safe at 57.39, adding to his fifth-minute opener for the Lightning.
Hull Seahawks kept their run of good form going to move up to fifth in the standings with a 6-3 win at home to Telford Tigers – despite being outshot more than 2-to-1.
Johnny Corneil and Tommy Spraggon put Hull 2-0 ahead inside 10 minutes before Caelan McPhee and James Smith dragged the visitors level before the break.
Bobby Chamberlain and Richard Hartmann scored within five minutes of each other to put Hull back in control in the second period but a 43rd-minute strike from Louie Newell ensured there could be no switch-off from the hosts.
Crucially, Ethan Hehir restored the two-goal cushion at 49.27 before captain Chamberlain doubled his tally at 56.46.