SHEFFIELD STEELERS 3 TRADE-MART DUNDEE STARS 0
The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars were left with just one-point to show from their English double header weekend after tough night in Sheffield, where a fresh rivalry began to brew.
By Kris Smith
The Stars had a full line-up available for their second away game of the weekend and the Steelers had the luxury off carrying a spare import and made the late decision to scratch Kameron Kielly.
The first period was action packed and inside the opening 30 seconds there was chances at either end as Sheffield forced a turnover in front of the Dundee net but Spencer Naas was quick to dive across the goal line and cover for his goalie, as he kept the puck out.
Then just seconds later, Naas would find himself through on the Steelers goal but his low effort could not slip between the legs of Matthew Greenfield.
With almost 10 minutes played, some tensions had been flaring and they came to a head when James Phelan and Sheffield’s Robert Dowd would drop the gloves for a scrap, earning each a five-minute seat in the sin bin.
Penalties would then be the common theme for the remainder of the period as both clubs got an opportunity to use their powerplay units but only one team would find success whilst on the man advantage.
In the 13th minute, the home side would open the scoring through Mitchell Balmas as he fired home from out on the right to give Aaron Fox’s men the lead, as Johnny Walker was in the box for holding his opponent stick.
Then five minutes later, the Steelers would punish the Stars again on the powerplay as defenseman, Chris McKay was sitting in the penalty box for a hooking foul that prevented a dangerous chance for the Steelers and Josh Nicholls would slapshot the puck past Kevin Carr from close range to double the lead.
With the Steelers now two in front, tensions began to rise again and after delivering a big hit to Colton Saucerman, Phelan dropped the gloves again as the Sheffield defender came after the Canadian for the hit.
Phelan’s night would end after his second tilt as he was assessed a second major penalty of the night, resulting in a game misconduct, as well as a two-minute minor for elbowing and that put the Yorkshire club on the powerplay again to start the second.
The middle period would be a quieter affair with no goals or penalties called but the Stars were failing to cause the Steelers enough trouble to give them a chance to get back into the match.
In the third period, each side would have another powerplay opportunity before Sheffield clinched the victory with a third goal on 50 minutes, as a scramble in front of the net allowed Balmas to slip a pass across goal for Nicholls to slide home his second of the evening.
The Stars were shutout and left with only one point to show for their efforts over the weekend but now they briefly switch focus back to Challenge Cup action as they visit Glasgow Clan on Saturday before returning to league play at home against Nottingham Panthers on Sunday.
Man of the Match
Dundee: #37 Kevin Carr
Sheffield: #10 Josh Nicholls
Goals
1st:
1-0 Mitchell Balmas (Marc-Olivier Vallerand, Colton Saucerman) 12:34 PPG
2-0 Josh Nicholls (Matthew Petgrave, Robert Dowd) 17:58 PPG
2nd:
3rd:
3-0 Josh Nicholls (Mitchell Balmas, Patrick Watling) 50:40
All images: Dean Wooley.
