SHEFFIELD STEELERS saw their 11-game winning streak come to an end, edged out in a fierce battle with Elite League rivals Cardiff Devils.

The Steelers remain top of the standings, although the 3-1 defeat at Ice Arena Wales allowed the third-placed hosts to pull within two points of them, with Aaron Fox’s team just one point ahead of Guildford Flames in second, the Surrey-based rivals now with a game in hand.

The Steelers went behind just over five minutes in when they lost possession in their own zone, allowing Riley Duggan to get below the goalline from where he found Ben Davies all alone at Matt Greenfield’s right-hand post, the GB international firing the puck into the roof of the net.

Cardiff were creating more clear chances but Greenfield was in impressive form and his resilience allowed his team to draw level just over six minutes later when Scott Allen skilfully made room for himself just inside the Cardiff zone, before unleashing a searing shot which beat Taran Kozun low down to his left from 20 yards.

CLOSE RUN BATTLE: Sheffield Steelers' Mason Mitchell (left) battles with Cardiff Devils' Justin Crandall at Ice Arena Wales. Picture courtesy of James Assinder/EIHL Media.

With Cardiff sitting just two places below table-topping Steelers, not surprisingly, it was an even-handed affair throughout, but it was Cardiff who struck next, restoring their lead just under four minutes into the second through Trevor Cox.

The Steelers huffed and puffed but Kozun was as impressive as his opposite number at the other end and, with Greenfield pulled inside the final two minutes, the Steelers left themselves open at the back as they pushed for the equaliser, the puck eventually finding its way to Joey Martin who fired into the empty net from close range to bring the Steelers’ impressive streak to an end.

The Steelers are back in action on Saturday when they head to Fife Flyers.

HULL SEAHAWKS say young British forward Cam Hamill “is a character who will be missed on and off the ice” after his request to leave the club with immediate effect was granted.

STRIKE ONE: Ben Davies (right) celebrates putting Cardiff Devils 1-0 up against Sheffield Steelers at Ice Arena Wales. Picture courtesy of James Assinder/EIHL Media.

In a statement released last night, the Seahawks said 18-year-old Hamill - twin brother of Leeds Knights forward Carter - had struggled to adapt to living away from Belfast, his hometown from where he moved to East Yorkshire in the summer.

“We’ve tried to support him the best we can to help him settle with unfortunately no luck,” said the Seahawks. “We fully respect Cam’s wishes and we support him in this decision he has made.”

Sheffield Steelers see winning streak ended as Cardiff Devils close gap at top of Elite League