Sheffield Steelers enjoy home romp against Fife Flyers to stay in touch at the top
SHEFFIELD STEELERS swept Fife Flyers aside 8-0 to take secure a crucial three-point weekend in their pursuit of the Elite League title.
Having taken a point from Saturday’s trip to Manchester Storm - which ended in a 4-3 defeat after a shootout - the Steelers romped past a Flyers team who look certain to miss out on the post-season, sat bottom, 14 points adrift of the eighth and final play-off spot.
Stephen Harper broke the deadlock with just over three minutes gone, with Brien Diffley doubling the lead before the end of the first period.
Three more goals followed in the second period, Harper grabbing a second after Mikko Juusola and Mitchell Heard had also found a way past beleaguered Fife goalie Shane Owen.
Ryan Tait increased the agony for the visitors with a strike early in the third period before Ivan Bjorkly Nordstrom and Evan Jasper confirmed a convincing win with goals in the last 10 minutes.
“We needed that one, and it was never in doubt – we came out swinging from the start and didn’t let up the whole way,” said Heard, who has hit seven points in four games playing on a line with Brett Ritchie and Harper.
“We all grew up in Ontario playing the same game, I think we think about the game in the same way.
“Things have been going good for us, we have some chemistry. We are all big, can skate, have heavy shots and are all on the same wavelength.”
Sunday results: Cardiff Devils 1 Nottingham Panthers 4, Belfast Giants 5 Glasgow Clan 0.