SHEFFIELD STEELERS 6 TRADE-MART DUNDEE STARS 1
The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars took an early lead in Sheffield on Wednesday night but the Steelers came back to hit six unanswered goals as the reigning Elite League treble champions took the victory.
By Kris Smith
New signing Philippe Sanche was not available to make his second debut in Stars colours as he awaited international clearance and his side would be a man down in the opening minute as Brendan Harms was penalised for a high-stick but the visitors would kill off the two-minute penalty.
Dundee then went down the other end of the ice and took the lead on six minutes as Stars captain, Drydn Dow picked up the puck in the slot and buried his shot past Matt Greenfield on his right side.
Both teams would then have a few chances each to add to the scoring throughout the remainder of the opening period but the Taysiders would still be 1-0 ahead going into the first break after limiting their opponents to only four shots on target, even with the Steelers having another powerplay opportunity.
The Stars would also start the second period a man down as Craig Moore was called for holding but again killed off the penalty before Sheffield then cashed in for three goals in 90 seconds to seize control of the match.
Mitchell Balmas’ backdoor finish tied the game on 34 minutes before Dow was then called for a hooking foul and Patrick Watling’s shot would go in via the underside of the crossbar, one minute later.
22 seconds later, Mikko Juusola would redirect Kevin Tansey’s effort past netminder, Richard Sabol from point blank range but after the goal was given on the ice, a lengthy video review then took placce and the decision was upheld, much to the anger of the Stars and Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre.
The Stars were trying to battle their way back into the game but the Yorkshire club pulled away in the third period as Juusola netted a second with a rising shot from between the circles, inside 43 minutes and Balmas would then grab his second of the night with another rapid wrist shot in the 50th minute.
Steelers forward, Robert Dowd then finished off the scoring at 6-1 with a goal in the 59th minute and that marked the end of a bad night for Dundee as their lead and the game slipped away in a 90 second spell.
Next up for the Stars is a home clash with Nottingham Panthers on Saturday and they then cross the River Tay on Sunday for a Challenge Cup contest in Kirkcaldy against Fife Flyers.
Man of the Match
Dundee: #6 Drydn Dow
Sheffield: #6 Kevin Tansey
Goals
1st:
0-1 Drydn Dow (Domenic Alberga, Alex Tonge) 06:16
2nd:
1-1 Mitchell Balmas (Sacha Guimond, Robert Dowd) 34:08
2-1 Patrick Watling (Mikko Juusola, Sacha Guimond) 35:15 PPG
3-1 Mikko Juusola (Kevin Tansey, Dominic Cormier) 35:37
3rd:
4-1 Mikko Juusola (Angelo Miceli, Joona Huttula) 42:30
5-1 Mitchell Balmas (Patrick Watling, Kevin Tansey) 49:52
6-1 Robert Dowd (Mitchell Balmas, Mark Simpson) 58:43
All images: Dean Wooley.
