With Eamon McAdam getting the nod again after his shutout last weekend, the Steelers looked settled from the opening faceoff despite missing Kevin Tansey and Cole Shudra, leaving them short on the fourth line. On the other hand, Evan Weninger was tasked with repeating his heroics after Sunday’s shutout win for Manchester, but this time he was under sustained pressure. The Steelers’ ability to move the puck quickly and stretch the Storm defense proved decisive, especially at five-on-five.
Statistically, the Steelers earned their two points. They outscored the Storm 42–38 overall, dominating key moments with even strength and finishing with superior efficiency in front of goal. Special teams also leaned in the Steelers’ favor early, with a power play goal opening the scoring and setting the tone. While the Storm made a push in the third period, the result never really felt in doubt after the Steelers’ surge in the second period.
Perhaps most encouraging for the Steelers was the spread of contributions throughout the lineup. Five goals came from four different goalscorers, while Ryan Tait’s pace and creativity made him a constant threat and a deserved Man of the Match.
First period (0–1)
The opening period had all the hallmarks of a derby encounter, with the physicality and pace established from the very first shift. Evan Jasper hit an early goal in the Steelers zone as both sides tested the ice conditions, which appeared choppy early on, leading to a few bouncing pucks. McAdam was quickly called into action and reacted sharply at his back post for the first meaningful save of the match just over a minute later.
The Storm had an early opportunity when Reece Kelly was called for interference, but it was the Steelers who looked more dangerous while short-handed. Jordon Southorn almost stunned the home crowd with a heavy effort that rattled the crossbar, but the move was ruled dead moments earlier for offside. That warning shot seemed to sharpen the Steelers’ focus.
At even strength, the Steelers started to find their rhythm. Mikko Juusola and Ryan Tait both tested Weninger as a brutal shift around the ten-minute mark surrounded the Storm in their own zone. The pressure continued to build, with Dominic Cormier hitting the post and Stephen Harper awarded a penalty after crashing hard into the Storm netminder.
That breakthrough ultimately came on the power play. Patient puck movement left the Storm penalty killers out of shape, and Patrick Watling made no mistake, firing top-shelf from the right wing via Mitchell Heard, while Southorn also got an assist. A late penalty against the Steelers provided a momentary change in momentum, but they went through the period professionally, deservedly going into the break with a 1–0 lead and leading on goal 18–12.
Second period (0–5)
While the first period laid the foundation, the Steelers blew the game wide open in the second. After killing off the remainder of the late penalty from the first period, the Steelers went right back on the attack and earned another power play early. While that benefit came and went without reward, it set the tone for what was to follow.
Ryan Tait doubled the lead with a goal that summed up the Steelers’ evening; fast, direct and decisive. A sharp snap from the left circle found its way past Weninger, who seemed invisible, and suddenly the Steelers had breathing room. From that moment on, confidence rose throughout the bench and the Storm struggled to turn the tide.
There were chances at both ends in the middle portion of the period, with McAdam producing a crucial extended pad save to preserve the lead before the Steelers struck again. Mitchell Heard threw a perfect pass into the slot for Brett Ritchie, who buried a one-timer with the authority to make it 3-0. Just sixteen seconds later the Storm faltered again as Watling rebounded for his second of the night, extending the lead to four.
A Storm timeout did little to stop the momentum. The Steelers continued to cycle the puck expertly, wearing out tired legs, and were rewarded again when Robert Dowd found Mikko Juusola in space. Juusola fired in a beautiful top corner to cap a devastating four-goal spell. At the second intermission, the Steelers had a commanding 5-0 lead and a 32-24 advantage in shots, all but clinching the game.
Third period (2–5)
To their credit, the Storm came out with renewed urgency in the third, throwing bodies forward in search of a way back into the game. However, the Steelers remained largely composed, controlling the clock and limiting high-danger opportunities while still threatening on the counterattack.
McAdam was forced into a couple of sharp saves early in the period, including a strong sideways move to deny Gary Haden at the far post. At the other end, the Steelers nearly added a sixth when Kyle Watson danced around the defense and slid the puck across the crease, but there was no stick at hand to apply the finish.
The Storm eventually found a way onto the scoresheet midway through the period. A battle in front of the Steelers’ net saw Haden react quickest to score from close range, narrowing the deficit. When Loren Ullett took advantage of a loose puck after darting through traffic, the Storm briefly breathed life into the building at 5-2.
Any thoughts of a late comeback were quickly extinguished by calm, disciplined defense against the Steelers. McAdam stayed alert through a few late scrums around his crease, and the visitors ran out the clock without any unnecessary risk. When the final buzzer sounded it confirmed a fully deserved win on the road and two valuable league points on the road to Sheffield.
What’s next
The Steelers get right back to work tomorrow night when they return to home ice at Utilita Arena to take on the Dundee Stars. Attention then turns to a tough trip to Cardiff next weekend to take on the Devils, followed by another home game against the Coventry Blaze. With performances like this, the Steelers remain firmly in the hunt for the top of the Elite League.
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