Sheffield repel Clan fightback as Tait nets brace

The Steelers twice enjoyed a three-goal lead at Ice Sheffield, but caused a few nerves among the home support when Braehead came back to 4-3 with 10 minutes still on the clock.

But three goals in five minutes saw them seal a welcome two points, leaving Ryan Finnerty’s side – edged out 2-1 at Cardiff Devils on Saturday night – second in the overall Elite League table, one point behind defending champions Belfast Giants, who have played two games less.

It was Jeff Legue who opened the scoring for the Steelers in their second home at 4.17 before two goals from Ashley Tait made it 3-0 at the interval.

Jade Galbraith pulled one back for the visitors at the halfway point, although Jim Jorgenson restored the three-goal cushion soon after. But a 39th-minute strike from Ryan Watt gave the Clan hope going into the second period break.

The belief among the visitors would have grown further in the 50th minute when player-coach Jordan Krestanovich struck to make it 4-3. But the Steelers remained composed and restored their two-goal lead through Colin Shields at 54.19.

Shawn Limpright made it 6-3 at 57.00 before Steve Goertzen wrapped up the scoring with 35 seconds remaining.

On Saturday in South Wales – where the Steelers had won 4-3 after a shoot-out last month – Phil Hill put the hosts ahead on the powerplay at 11.02, a lead that was doubled through Mac Faulkner at 25.41.

Steelers halved the deficit at 38.20 through defenceman Matt Stephenson, but a third straight defeat couldn’t be prevented.

Hull Stingrays failed to make home advantage count on both nights, first going down 3-1 to Dundee Stars before losing 4-1 to defending champions Belfast Giants.

Sylvain Cloutier’s side enjoyed a one-goal lead going into the first period break against the league leaders, courtesy of Cale Tanaka’s 13th-minute strike.

But Belfast controlled the second period, levelling through Andrew Fournier at 20.27 and then going ahead through Will Colbert and Daryl Lloyd. It became 4-1 through Noah Clarke’s 51st-minute powerplay strike.

Against Dundee, Janis Ozolins and Billy Bagron traded first period goals before Mike Wirll put the Stars in front in the 40th minute. It wasn’t until four seconds from the end that the visitors sealed the win through a Sami Rhyanen strike.

In the English Premier League, Sheffield Steeldogs following up Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Telford Tigers with a hard-fought 5-4 win in overtime at defending champions Guildford Flames.