The Sheffield Steelers crushed any chance of a Playoff Finals Weekend upset: Aaron Fox’s squad booked their place in the championship game with a 6-0 win over the Manchester Storm.
The Steelers struck first on the powerplay, with Ryan Tait redirecting Dominic Cormier’s long-range effort past Drew DeRidder with eight minutes remaining in the opening frame.
Mitchell Heard doubled Sheffield’s advantage midway through the second period, evading his checker before converting Mitchell Balmas’ feed with a deft touch on the edge of the crease.
Seeking to reenergise the Storm, Tyler Hinam fought Joona Huttula four minutes into the third period, but Manchester couldn’t snap Matthew Greenfield’s 22-save shutout.
Evan Jasper scored Sheffield’s third of the evening on the breakaway, before Tait and Heard buried on the powerplay in the closing exchanges to complete their braces.
Stephen Harper made it 6-0 in the final minute, hammering a one-timer home from the right circle.
Sheffield will face the Cardiff Devils in Sunday’s championship game, with face-off set for 5pm at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.
Analysis: Manchester Storm no match for Sheffield Steelers in semi-final
Mitchell Balmas, Sheffield Steelers (Image: Elite League)
DeRidder was the best player on the ice for 45 minutes — but robbing the Steelers of their place in the playoff final proved to be a step too far for the American.
Sheffield showed their class on Saturday and no amount of headstand goaltending was going to deny them this time.
Fox’s men hummed from puck drop, restricting Manchester to permitter looks, while turning the screw tightly at the other end.
By the end of the second period, Sheffield had outshot the Storm 35-14. It wasn’t close. And the gap widened in the third, with the Steelers providing a special teams clinic.
DeRidder made multiple double saves, denied a three-on-one, and kept Manchester within striking distance — but the Storm couldn’t breakthrough offensively and Sheffield march on.
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