Steelers shutout Clan and send them for six

Time for the match report from Sunday's game against the Clan.

After winning in overtime at Braehead on the Friday but slipping to an overtime loss in Fife on the Saturday night, Steelers played their third game in as many nights on Sunday when they hosted the Clan at Ice Sheffield. Steelers were unchanged from the team that iced against Fife, which meant a home "debut" for Andre Deveaux and also marked game three of the six match suspension for Colton Fretter. Clan, who also were playing their third in three nights, were without Craig Peacock and Adam Brace but gave the start in between the pipes to Gary Russell with Ryan Nie backing him up.

The home team were in control from the very start, forcing Russell into a number of saves and short benched Clan onto the back foot. What was a surprise though, was that it took deep into the first period for the deadlock to be broken. At 14:13, Liam Kirk produced a brilliant pass across the goal and Andreas Jämtin had the simple task of tapping the puck into the Clan goal - Mark Matheson getting the secondary assist. Two goals in the space of 31 seconds then put the game beyond all manner of doubt, and the Steelers firmly in control. At 17:09, Joonas Ronnberg marked his final appearance in a Steelers uniform with a blast from the blueline, and then at 17:40 it became 3-0 when Mathieu Roy and Matt Marquardt teed up John Armstrong for the finish.

Steelers had outshot Clan 18-3 in that opening period, and also certainly laid down a marker that they were not just reliant on one player. The kids were enthusiastic as always, and showing their undoubted talents against players with much more experience. Kieran Brown was most impressive, playing with no fear whatsoever which has become staple for him whenever we have seen him in action. As it was though, the second period was scoreless but eventful nevertheless; defenceman Zack Fitzgerald picking up a 2+10 checking to the head from referee Steve Brown after an incident involving Clan's own precoicus talent Jordan Buesa.

A fourth goal had to come, and it did with 48:27 played in the game. Deveaux and Brown setting up Armstrong for his second goal of the night, and twelfth goal of the Elite League season so far. Brown's assist being just reward for an outstanding personal performance. Did the Steelers have more goals in their locker? The answer was a yes, as the fifth goal came at 50:21 on the game clock. Matt Marquardt back on the scoresheet after being set up by Mathieu Roy and Armstrong; a bit of a reversal of the third goal so to say. The scoring was finished at 53:11 when the Steelers supporters saw Deveaux score his first goal for the team albeit at the third attempt past Russell whilst Armstrong and Roy picked up their third assists of the evening; Armstrong's helper taking him to a remarkable 2+3 on the night.

Time for the statistics:

Goals: Steelers 6 Clan 0

Steelers Scoring: Armstrong 2+3, Roy 0+3, Marquardt 1+1, Deveaux 1+1, Matheson 0+2, Jämtin 1+0, Ronnberg 1+0, Kirk 0+1, Brown 0+1.

Clan Scoring: Erm, nobody.

Shots On Goal:  Steelers 35 Clan 20

Powerplay: Steelers 1 from 4 (25% conversion), Clan 0 from 2 (0% conversion)

Penalty Minutes called: Steelers 14 Clan 8

Steelers Goaltender Stats: Mustukovs 20 Saves (396), GAA: 0.00 (2.56), Save Percentage 100% (92.30%)

Man of the Match: John Armstrong (Steelers), Brendan Brooks (Clan)

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