Sheffield Steelers salvage testing week by bouncing back against Cardiff Devils

Having been knocked out of the Challenge Cup in overtime by arch-rivals Nottingham Panthers in front of their own fans on Wednesday night, the Steelers mood darkened even further when they came off second-best at league leaders Belfast Giants on Friday.

The 3-1 defeat at the SSE Arena handed the Giants a distinct advantage over Aaron Fox’s team, one they maintained on Sunday with victory at Fife Flyers.

The two teams meet each other twice in Sheffield on March 14-15 in what could yet prove a pivotal weekend.

With just 11 games remaining overall, the Steelers will need to come out on top in some form that weekend – preferably with two regulation wins – but will also need help from elsewhere, while staying near-perfect themselves.

It’s a tall order but one they have a chance to pull off after an impressive performance against Cardiff.

Mikko Juusola led the way with two goals, while captain Robert Dowd and leading goalscorer Mitchell Balmas also scored to give the Steelers a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes.

Kohen Olischefski replied for the Devils in the 49th minute but barely a minute had passed before Steelers’ defenceman Jordon Southorn restored the four-goal advantage.

“It was a pretty solid win,” said Steelers’ netminder Emaon McAdam. “I think we played a good game, especially after the week we’ve had.

“I thought we deserved more from those games, and mentally it’s hard to come back from that, so I’m impressed with the guys.”

Juusola opened the scoring bang on seven mintues gone for the Steelers, Mitchell Heard finding the Finnish forward to fire past Christian Stoever.

The Steelers doubled their lead on the powerplay just under five minutes into the second, Juusola tipping in Mitchell Balmas’ low shot towards goal.

Just over three minutes later, Jordon Southorn found Dowd at the back post, from where the Steelers’ captain redirected the puck home to make it 3-0.

Mitchell Balmas was then allowed way too much time to pick his spot when he beat Stoever from the right circle at 33.57.

McAdam was beaten by Olischefski at 48.53 on a two-on-one breakaway with Ryan Barrow, but any hope the Devils may have entertained of salvaging a grim night soon vanished when Southorn took less than two minute to restore a four-goal lead the hosts confidently held on to.

On the regular season title race, which sees the Giants eight points ahead of second-placed Steelers with a game in hand, McAdam added: “It’s been an interesting season, Belfast obviously have a bit of a cushion.

"If we keep our heads down, I think we can put the pressure on and give them something to worry about.”