Sheffield Steelers 6 Cardiff Devils 2: Advantage to Steelers ahead of return leg

Sheffield Steelers struck for an early 3-1 advantage agaionst Cardiff Devils at Ice Sheffield on Wednesday night. Picture: Dean Woolley.

A repeat of the 2017 Cup final, the Steelers took the lead at 5.23 when Tim Wallace scored a short-handed goal before defenceman Scott Aarssen made it 2-0 just 63 seconds later.

Cardiff were quick to respond through Matt Pope, however, scoring on the powerplay at 7.31.

But the Steelers, who gained revenge for their defeat in last year’s final by defeating Cardiff in the end-of-season showcase play-off final, restored their two-goal cushion through defenceman Ben O’Connor in the 16th minute.

Levi Nelson strikes in the third period for Sheffield Steelers against Cardiff Devils. Picture: Dean Woolley.

A Mathieu Roy powerplay goal 90 seconds into the second period further extended the Steelers lead before Matt Marquardt struck to make it 5-1 at 35.40.

Levi Nelson added a sixth goal for the Steelers seven minutes into the final frame, before a short-handed goal from Joey Haddad helped Cardiff claw back some ground ahead of next week’s second leg in South Wales.