Sheffield Steelers became just the second Elite League team to advance to the knock-out stages of the Champions Hockey League following a 3-2 shootout win on Wednesday night at the Utilita Arena in front of 7,291 fans.
Results elsewhere in the CHL meant that the Steelers were effectively through before the puck dropped in in Yorkshire, but that opponents Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Republic needed to secure at least a point to advance.
The Steelers had the best chance to open the scoring in the first period on a tic-tac-toe passing move to the centre on the crease while on a powerplay, but the puck narrowly missed the stick in front.
After a scoreless first period, it was the hosts who struck first in the second. The puck broke to Mikko Juusola in the offensive zone and the Finn, who’s jumped into the play, fired high into Roman Will’s net to put the Steelers one up with 24:42 played. Somewhat against the run of play, Dynamo levelled though a Daniel Rákos shot that went over Matt Greenfield’s shoulder at 31:16, after which the visitors began to apply some heavy pressure to the Steelers’ net.
Sheffield took advantage of a break in their favour, however, when Mitchell Balmas won the puck in the neutral zone and skated through to snipe high over Will’s glove hand and put the Steelers back ahead with 4:15 left in the period.
44 seconds into period three, Dynamo were back level though Tomáš Zahorna, but it was the Steelers who continued to carve out the better chances. The closing stages saw the Steelers almost snatch the win, but the game went to overtime.
Dynamo needed to win the game in overtime or a shootout to progress to the next round, but the 2023/24 Quarter-Finalists found themselves on the back foot in OT.
The game was eventually decided in a shootout. With the teams locked in a 2-2 after five rounds Mitchell Balmas netted the winning shot to give the Steelers the win and keep their unbeaten home CHL record alive.
Photo: Dean Woolley