Sheffield Steelers prove their ability to grind out the necessary 'dirty' Elite League wins
FOR the second time this season, Sheffield Steelers have found it tough against Fife Flyers - for a second time, they came out on top.
The last time the two Elite League rivals faced off against each other was in Kirkcaldy just two weeks ago when the Steelers required an overtime winner from Mitchell Balmas to secure the two points.
It was a similarly tight affair at the Utilita Arena on Saturday night as the Steelers - three nights on from a 4-3 overtime win over the Guildford Flames at the same venue - ground out the kind of gritty, ugly win which could prove crucial come the regular season’s final reckoning in early April next year.
The Steelers made the breakthrough with just 24 seconds left in the first period when Robert Dowd threw the puck toward the net and it deflected in off Cliff Pu.
The Flyers didn’t take long to pull themselves level, however, Giordano Finoro working the puck to Johan Porsberger to beat Eamon McAdam.
Less than two more minutes had elapsed, however, before the Steelers were back in front, Sam Tremblay providing the finish after Dowd had worked the puck from behind the goal to set him up in front.
Fife were a good match throughout but struggled to create enough grade-A chances, McAdam turning away 29 of the 30 shots on his net throughout the night.
“It wasn’t our best but we got the job done in the end,” said Steelers’ assistant coach, Carter Beston-Will.
“Fife pushed us and they came hard and I think we just got away from our game a little bit but, in the end, we got the two points.
“They play a hard and physical game, finish their hits and they do that very well and they have been very good in frustrating us in the two games we have played them.”
The Steelers will look to make it three straight wins when they head south to take on the Guildford Flames on Sunday night – already the sixth meeting of the season between the two teams.