The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze delivered one of their most impressive road performances of the Elite League regular season, beating title-chasing Sheffield Steelers 1-3 at the Sheffield Arena on Saturday night.
Coventry were boosted by the return of Canadian defenceman Connor Russell, while Mat Robson got the start in net opposite Sheffield’s Matt Greenfield.
The visitors opened strongly and were unlucky not to take an early lead inside the first ten minutes, Greenfield standing tall despite sustained Blaze pressure. Robson looked equally assured at the other end, and although both sides had powerplay opportunities in the opening period, neither were able to break the deadlock.
The second period remained a physical affair. Blaze forward Alessio Luciani and Steelers’ Joona Huttula each took two minutes early in the frame after Luciani made contact with Greenfield, sparking a confrontation.
Shortly after, Coventry did find the opener. Former Sheffield blue-liner Colton Saucerman struck against his old club, burying a rebound created by Adam Robbins and Colton Mismash at 26.23.
However, the lead lasted just 31 seconds. Steelers’ Mikko Juusola drove wide and cut to the net, finishing smartly past Robson from passes by Mitch Balmas and Mitch Heard. The goal triggered the release of more than 3,000 teddies onto the ice for Sheffield’s Air the Bear night in support of Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas.
The goodwill didn’t extend to the play on the ice, which grew increasingly heated. With 10.57 remaining, Blaze’s Jere Vertanen and Steelers captain Robert Dowd dropped the gloves in the game’s most notable flashpoint.
Coventry re-gained the lead at 50.58 when Elijiah Barriga beat Greenfield with a quick wrist shot, again assisted by Robbins. From there, Sheffield mounted heavy pressure, firing pucks at Robson in search of an equaliser. The Blaze netminder was superb, producing 48 saves to earn a deserved Man of the Match award.
Greenfield was pulled for the extra attacker in the final two minutes, but it was Blaze who found the insurance marker. Top scorer Matthew Gleason hit the empty net with 14 seconds remaining, sealing a memorable 1-3 victory for Coventry.
Photo credit: Dean Woolley and Hayley Roberts
