The Sheffield Steelers staked their claim for a place in the final four of the Challenge Cup with a 5-1 win over the Cardiff Devils in the first leg of their quarter final series.
Sheffield raced to an early lead and maintained it until the final buzzer sounded, with Brandon Whistle (twice), Evan Mosey, Matthew Petgrave, and Danny Kristo lighting the lamp to the delight of head coach Aaron Fox.
Whistle was an important contributor in all situations, including face-offs, for the Steelers and was named player of the match as a result.
“Goals are nice when they come, but I just try to do the little things right every day,” the 24-year-old told Aaron Murphy of ViaPlay.
🍊 Brandon Whistle caught up with @MurphOnIce to react to a big @steelershockey win
"You want to win on your home ice. We've struggled a bit this year." 🗣️#EIHL pic.twitter.com/RRZKpl7Xja
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) December 7, 2022
“I’m not going to score every game, but it’s nice when they come – I just try to work my hardest… I think it’s huge to have everyone on the same page [for faceoffs], a lot of times the puck is just sitting there and your winger needs to come in and help. It’s a team job for sure.”
Elsewhere in the Challenge Cup, the Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers left supporters on the edge of their seats with a thrilling draw.
In the Elite League, the Coventry Blaze reasserted their status as title contenders with a 9-0 win over the Manchester Storm. There were also important wins for the Belfast Giants and Nottingham Panthers.
In the National League, it was a weekend to remember for the Bristol Pitbulls and Hull Seahawks as both newcomer squads earned four points.
Sheffield Steelers produce dominant Challenge Cup performance
Wednesday, 7 December 2022
Sheffield Steelers celebrate Challenge Cup victory over Cardiff Devils (Image: Dean Woolley)
- Challenge Cup: Dundee Stars 4-4 Fife Flyers
- Challenge Cup: Sheffield Steelers 5-1 Cardiff Devils
Friday, 9 December 2022
- Glasgow Clan 2-3 Guildford Flames
Saturday, 10 December 2022
- Manchester Storm 7-1 Nottingham Panthers
- Cardiff Devils 4-2 Belfast Giants
- Glasgow Clan 1-7 Sheffield Steelers
- Fife Flyers 2-6 Guildford Flames
Sunday, 11 December 2022
- Nottingham Panthers 5-2 Cardiff Devils
- Belfast Giants 4-3 Dundee Stars
- Coventry Blaze 9-0 Manchester Storm
- Fife Flyers 1-5 Sheffield Steelers
National League, Week 13:
Friday, 9 December 2022
- Swindon Wildcats 3-6 Bristol Pitbulls
Saturday, 10 December 2022
- Basingstoke Bison 2-4 Raiders IHC
- Bristol Putbulls 7-1 Bees IHC
- Hull Seahawks 6-5 Telford Tigers (OT)
- Leeds Knights 6-5 Peterborough Phantoms (OT)
- Milton Keynes Lightning 7-2 Swindon Wildcats
Sunday, 11 December 2022
- Bees IHC 0-2 Hull Seahawks
- Peterborough Phantoms 2-3 Swindon Wildcats (OT)
- Raiders IHC P-P Leeds Knights
- Sheffield Steeldogs 6-4 Basingstoke Bison
- Telford Tigers 0-2 Milton Keynes Lightning
Liam Kirk’s Atlanta Gladiators continue ECHL climb
Liam Kirk provided a primary assist to Reece Vitelli on the powerplay in Atlanta’s 5-3 win over the Solar Bears on Saturday.
You guys smell that? Smells like we COMING BACK!!
Tied score 3 – 3 pic.twitter.com/SR7jCAdIUF
— Atlanta Gladiators (@atlgladiators) December 11, 2022
- 09/12/22: Atlanta Gladiators 5-2 Orlando Solar Bears
- 10/12/22: Atlanta Gladiators 5-3 Orlando Solar Bears
- 11/12/22: Savanah Ghost Pirates v Atlanta Gladiators
Team Great Britain U20s: Men’s World Championship (Division II, Group A)
Great Britain came from behind twice to beat tournament hosts Lithuania at the U20 World Championship.
- 11/12/22: Lithuania 3-4 Great Britain
What was your favourite moment from last week? Join the debate by tweeting @BritIceHockey
