The Steelers returned to Elite League action with a battling point on the road but were edged out 2-1 in overtime by the Guildford Flames at The Spectrum. After Wednesday’s Challenge Cup setback against the Nottingham Panthers, the Steelers came back from behind but were denied the extra point by a late Jack Jacome strike in three-on-three.
Short-benched and reshuffled, the Steelers were without Sam Tremblay, Brien Diffley and Kyle Watson, with Kevin Tansey stepping back into the defensive core and Eamon McAdam getting the nod between the pipes, backed up by Matthew Greenfield. At the other end, Justin Fazio was in inspired form for the Flames, and together the two netminders delivered a goaltending clinic, combining for 72 saves on the night.
The Steelers controlled large spells of the contest, outshooting the Flames 44-31 across regulation and overtime, but were made to rue missed opportunities; most notably a five-minute major powerplay in the second period that failed to yield a breakthrough. Guildford struck first in the third through Matt Alvaro before Mitchell Balmas levelled in style, forcing overtime.
In the extra frame, chances came at both ends before Jacome’s finish sealed the bonus point for the hosts. Both McAdam and Fazio deservedly collected Man of the Match honours after standout performances that kept their sides in the fight throughout.
First Period [0-0]
The Steelers began with purpose, looking to respond after midweek disappointment, and quickly set the tone with sustained offensive zone pressure. Mikko Juusola was first to test the traffic in front of Fazio inside five minutes, as the Steelers established early momentum in Guildford’s end.
The Flames threatened sporadically on the counter, and McAdam was called into action at 5:44, sealing his near post smartly as a quick-developing two-on-one looked dangerous at the Steelers blue line. A giveaway moments later allowed Gosselin to spin and throw the puck into the blue paint, but fortunately for the Steelers no Flames jersey could get a decisive touch.
Ryan Tait’s speed caused problems midway through the period, swinging from behind the net into the high slot only to see his effort blocked in traffic. Juusola and Joona Huttula both tried their luck as the Steelers moved the puck crisply around the zone, while Patrick Watling’s deft saucer pass found Tansey at the crease; Fazio reacting sharply to deny the backhand tip.
McAdam was equally impressive, coming well out to the top of his crease to shut down Matt Alvaro on a determined drive to the net. By the end of the period, the Steelers had registered 13 shots on goal and controlled much of the play, but despite their territorial advantage the scoreboard remained locked at 0-0.
Second Period [0-0]
The middle frame continued in much the same fashion, with both sides trading chances in an increasingly open contest. Dominic Cormier surged down the right wing early on and tried to thread a pass to Stephen Harper at the top of the crease, but Fazio got enough of it to prevent the opener.
Chances flowed at either end. Josh Nixon drawing a sharp reaction save from McAdam, Alfaro firing over when afforded space, and Juusola denied at the back post by an athletic slide across the crease from Fazio. The pace was relentless, and after a lengthy spell without a whistle the game boiled over.
At 28:03, the officials reviewed a hit by Nixon on Tansey in the Steelers corner, ultimately assessing a five-minute major for boarding after he drove through the numbers. It presented the Steelers with a golden opportunity to seize control, but frustration followed. Passes went astray, entries were broken up, and the Flames’ penalty kill stood firm.
Even after returning to five-on-five, the Steelers continued to press. A frantic scramble in the blue paint somehow stayed out despite hacks and whacks at the loose puck, while McAdam produced a spectacular sequence at the other end, first blocking with his helmet before flashing the glove at full stretch to rob Strang at the back post. After 40 minutes and a combined 52 shots (30 of them from the Steelers) the deadlock frustratingly remained.
Third Period [1-1]
The Flames came out with intent in the third and edged ahead at 43:48. A quick two-on-one saw Jack Jacome slide a pass across for Matt Alvaro, who beat McAdam five-hole with a one-timer to give Guildford a 1-0 lead against the run of much of the game.
The Steelers’ response was emphatic. At 47:11, Mitchell Balmas pounced on a loose puck near the Steelers blue line, accelerated away from the defence and went one-on-one with Fazio, beating him blocker side with a composed finish to haul the Steelers back on level terms.
Momentum swung again when Cormier was clipped by a high stick from Cole Ully, sending the Steelers to the powerplay. Brett Ritchie and Cormier both had sights of goal, but Fazio continued his strong evening, and the Flames successfully killed the penalty to keep it tied.
The closing minutes were breathless. McAdam stood tall during a spell of Guildford pressure, denying Curti from the high slot, while at the other end Robert Dowd and Tait both tested Fazio late on; the latter drawing his 40th save of the night with just 10 seconds remaining. Sixty minutes could not separate the sides.
Overtime [2-1 Flames]
Three-on-three overtime began with Balmas, Juusola and Cormier tasked with finding the winner for the Steelers. Early exchanges were frantic; Gosselin firing wide before McAdam produced another fine stop on Ully to keep hopes alive.
But at 61:32, the decisive moment arrived. The Flames capitalised on a breakdown in the zone, and Jack Jacome found space to lift the puck over McAdam’s shoulder and seal the 2-1 victory for Guildford.
It was a cruel end for the Steelers, who deserved reward for their persistence and territorial dominance across much of the night but would be left to contemplate missed opportunities throughout the contest.
Next up, the Steelers return home to face the Flames once again to conclude the weekend double-header, before attention turns back to the Challenge Cup and the second leg showdown with the Nottingham Panthers on Wednesday night.