HAVING drawn level with Ron Shudra’s long-standing points-scoring record for the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday, Robert Dowd wasted little time in going past it.

Less than 24 hours later, the 38-year-old forward stood all alone at the top of the list after scoring the Steelers’ second goal in their Challenge Cup tie at Guildford Flames - part of an impressive comeback from 3-0 down which saw them run out 5-4 winners after a shoot-out at The Spectrum.

Robert Dowd level with Ron Shudra as Sheffield Steelers open season in convincin...

It marked a positive opening weekend for the Steelers after Dowd’s four points - one goal and three assists - had helped them demolish Coventry Blaze 6-0 the previous night on home ice.

But, rightly, all the headlines the following night belonged to the captain Dowd, now in his 18th full campaign with the Steelers.

His goal - coming just 42 seconds after the halfway mark - took his points tally for the Steelers to 793, the legendary Shudra’s record having lasted for just over 20 years from when the Canadian-born defenceman playing for the club 1992-2006.

For Dowd, his latest record-breaking moment for the club proved to be a humbling experience.

“It’s very cool,” he said. “To be in the same conversation as someone like Ron is really special.

TOP MAN: Robert Dowd in action for Sheffield Steelers in the 6-0 Challenge Cup win at home to Coventry on Saturday - the following night he broke Ron Shudra's longstanding points-scoring record for the club in a 5-4 win at Guildford. Picture: Hayley Roberts/Steelers Media.

“He’s a great human being, a great hockey player and an absolute legend of British hockey and of Sheffield.

“To be talked about in the same sentence as Ron is really humbling. To finally get over the line and have that record is a really cool feeling.”

On the record-breaking goal that saw him make history, Dowd added: “We tried to catch them on the break and their D-man got a stick on it, but I was following up and got the puck with plenty of speed.

“I managed to beat the defenceman wide and get a quick shot away high blocker.”

BATTLE STATIONS: Sheffield Steelers' Ivan Bjorkly Nordstrom (left) prepares for a face-off against Guildford's Josh Waller. Picture: John Uwins/EIHL Media.

It was part of an impressive fightback by the Steelers who found themselves trailing 3-0 inside 17 minutes through goals from Jake Willets and Jonathan Racine (2).

Crucially, Olivier Archambault hit back before the first period break to give Steelers’ hopes of a comeback a foothold and after Dowd drew them level they went into the next break all-square when Adam Rockwood levelled at 35.56.

The Steelers outshot their hosts 53-26 on the night but found themselves trailing again with less than eight minutes to go when Chase Gresock made it 4-3.

But a power play opportunity was seized on by the Steelers when Mitchell Balmas levelled at 57.46.

Overtime couldn’t separate the two teams, leaving Balmas to come up with a second telling strike of the night when he scored the winning goal in the shootout.

Dowd was understandably full of praise for his team.

“It was brilliant,” said Dowd. “I thought we played very well tonight. Even though we were 3-1 down, I don’t think the scoreline really reflected how we played in that first period.

“We had a couple of lost coverages and they punished us for them, but we stuck to the game plan and it was a great bounce-back win for the boys.”