SHEFFIELD STEELERS enjoyed the perfect weekend after a maximum four-point return ensured they remain joint-top in the Motorpoint Elite League standings.

A “solid” performance on the road produced two points in a 6-3 win at Guildford Flames on Saturday before an even more polished display brought a 6-1 win at home to Coventry Blaze 24 hours later.

Top goalscorer Mitchell Balmas led the way with the Steelers’ first two goals and an assist, with Sean Collins, Mikko Juusola, Tim Gettinger and defenceman Macoy Erkamps also getting on the scoresheet.

The Steelers were 4-0 ahead before the Blaze were able to muster a reply, Colby MacArthur beating netminder Matt Greenfield at 37.59.

But the damage had already been done, Balmas breaking the deadlock at 12.32 on the power play before doubling his tally and the Steelers’ lead 93 seconds into the second period.

Summer signing Collins made it 3-0 with his fifth goal of the season 29.51 before Juusola got in on the act just under five minutes later.

MacArthur’s response was nothing but a brief intervention, Gettinger restoring the four-goal cushion at 44.31 before Erkamps piled on the misery for the visitors with just over 10 minutes left.

It hauled the Steelers level with Cardiff Devils on 17 points, with Paul Thompson’s team having a game in hand.

ON TARGET: Mitchell Balmas scores for Sheffield Steelers in their 6-1 win over Coventry Blaze on Sunday at the Utilita Arena. Picture: Hayley Roberts/Steelers Media.

placeholder image — ON TARGET: Mitchell Balmas scores for Sheffield Steelers in their 6-1 win over Coventry Blaze on Sunday at the Utilita Arena. Picture: Hayley Roberts/Steelers Media.

The two meet in Sheffield next Sunday, after the Steelers go head-to-head with the Blaze again the day before, this time at the SkyDome Arena.

On Saturday, Steelers’ head coach Aaron Fox was full of praise for the Steelers’ efforts at The Spectrum.

Brien Diffley and former Flames winger Ryan Tait both scored twice, with Liam Steele and Evan Jasper also getting on the scoresheet to grab two vital league points.

The Steelers got themselves on the front foot when they raced into a 3-0 lead after just 15 minutes.

HOME COMFORTS: Sean Collins celebrates scoring Sheffield Steelers' third goal against Coventry Blaze. Picture: Cerys Heslop/Steelers Media.

It was defenceman Diffley who broke the deadlock with 7.21 on the clock, the American left-hander doubling his tally for the night in the 13th minute.

Jasper improved matters further at 14.18, although the hosts breathed life into the game when Cole Sanford pulled one back just 18 seconds into the second period. Young defenceman Steele - utilised as a spare forward in Guildford - made it a night to remember when he restored the three-goal lead for the visitors at 25.20, delivering him his first-ever point in a Steelers’ jersey.

Joshua Waller narrowed the gap once again in the 33rd minute but his former Flames team-mate Tait cancelled that out on the power play to make it 5-2 at 37.52.

Karl Boudrias threatened another comeback from the hosts when he reduced the deficit to two goals in the 46th minute, but the Steelers held firm and sealed the win with Tait’s empty-net strike with 76 seconds remaining.

It was a collaborative effort on the night, with Juusola also enjoyed a productive evening with three assists, while Greenfield turned aside 29 shots, much to the delight of Fox.

“Every time they pushed back, we followed up with some good play and got it back,” said Fox. “Overall, there were no passengers.

"Coming out in the first period, I just felt like we were moving our feet. Our effort level was through the roof. We were making good decisions on the puck, and we got rewarded for it.

"We put ourselves in a good spot going into the second and we felt like they were going to push back, there was no doubt about it. It was a good, solid overall team road win tonight - really happy with that."