IT may have been “ugly” at times but Sheffield Steelers were able to get the job done on Friday when overcoming Manchester Storm for a third straight time this season.

Having already got the better of them twice in the Challenge Cup group phase - the second win on home ice securing a semi-final spot - the Steelers maintained their hold over the Storm when it came to the first league meeting of the 2026-27 Motorpoint Elite League season.

Evan Jasper played the leading man role at the AO Arena, scoring on the power play in the 33rd minute to give the Steelers a 2-0 lead following Mikko Juusola’s opener five minutes earlier before grabbing what proved to be the game-winner with just over 10 minutes of the game remaining.

Twice Manchester came back to make it a one-goal game, but the Steelers stood firm to take both points in regulation and stay level on points at the top with Cardiff Devils, who edged to a 2-1 overtime defeat at home to Dundee Stars.

Afterwards, Jasper admitted while it wasn’t a vintage performance from the Steelers, it was still pleasing to get the job done.

“That was probably one of the uglier first periods we’ve played all year,” he said. “It was a little bit discouraging after we’ve been playing so well, but the guys remained positive.

“The group had a good chat between the first and second periods, and everybody knew what we had to do.

“We started playing our hockey.”

STANDING TALL: Sheffield Steelers' netminder Matt Greenfield steered his team to victory over Manchester Storm on Friday, turning away 29 of the 31 shots on his goal. Picture: Jiminal/EIHL Media.

placeholder image — STANDING TALL: Sheffield Steelers' netminder Matt Greenfield steered his team to victory over Manchester Storm on Friday, turning away 29 of the 31 shots on his goal. Picture: Jiminal/EIHL Media.

Juusola broke the deadlock at 27.02 when he tapped home a backdoor pass, Jasper then doubling the lead on the man advantage just over five minutes later when he finished off a set-up from his Finnish team-mate.

It didn’t take long for Manchester to make it a one-goal game when Drydn Dow beat Matt Greenfield from the low slot at 34.02.

Olivier Archambault showed his creative side once again when he set up Jasper for the Steelers’ third goal of the night at 49.33 but there was little time to relax as the hosts hit back quickly again, Brandon Cutler beating Greenfield at the second attempt just 39 seconds later.

There were further chances for the hosts but Greenfield stood tall, drawing praise from head coach Aaron Fox ahead of a tantalising second Roses meeting between the two sides in South Yorkshire on Saturday (face-off 7pm).

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Evan Jasper celebrates one of his two goals in the 3-2 win at Manchester Storm on Friday. Picture: Jiminal/EIHL Media.

“Obviously, important two points. I call that a vintage Greener game tonight,” said Fox. “We definitely didn’t have our best, especially in the first 20.

“To go in after that first 20 at 0-0 was kind of the momentum turning point in the game for us. We could easily have been down a couple going into the second, and we were definitely better in the second and third periods.

“I thought we played well with a lead late, and we’re probably just fortunate to get the two points.”