With Anthony Morrone’s help, the Steelers advanced to the Challenge Cup final tonight, when Patrick Harper and Sam Cooper made their team debuts.
Defensemen Sam Jones and Brien Diffley scored two goals in the first period, while captain Robert Dowd added another two goals in the second and third periods, respectively, as the team won the semi-final match ten goals to one.
The Glasgow Clan and Guildford Flame will square off for the final spot on March 13 at the Utilita Arena, and the Steelers are currently awaiting their opponent.
The Coventry Blaze gave it their all in the opening twenty minutes, but the Steelers prevailed once more and increased their lead to eight points in the first frame. Bravo to the Blaze, who really came to play well tonight. The visitors picked up the ante right from the puck drop, particularly with youthful Mack Stewart, who made effective use of his body.
However, the Steelers’ deadly firepower proved to be too much to overcome once more.
But the Steelers’ blue line effort was what put them on the scoreboard at 12:16, as Nevalainen found Sam Jones in the back post with a beautiful saucer pass, and Jones made no mistakes.
However, it was two for the Steelers at (17.57), as Brien Diffley scored another goal for the team’s defense after he picked up the ball near to Nolan and managed to shove it in for his first Challenge Cup goal. Robert Dowd, the captain, helped out with this one.
In the second, Dowd and Balmas extended the Steelers’ lead even further, bringing their total to ten points across five periods.
Mikko Juusola scored the first goal of the two legs at (29.34), raising the stick on his opponent at the Blaze blue line. Dowd then swiftly found himself into the zone on the opposite side, needing to use his skate to retain the ball before sniping one home across Nolan Kent.
(34.39) and the Blaze eventually took the lead on the scoreboard after Clements turned the puck over in the neutral zone. McNulty then swiftly found Kristo, who finished well above Morrone’s catcher as he entered the Steelers zone.
