Late goals see Steelers fall to defeat at Cardiff

SHEFFIELD Steelers came off second-best at Elite League title rivals Cardiff Devils – but they still remain firm favourites to land the coveted regular season crown.

The 4-1 scoreline at the Vindico Arena on Saturday was given added gloss for the home side courtesy of two late empty-net strikes after the Steelers had pulled netminder Matt Greenfield in pursuit of an equaliser.

The Steelers had taken the lead through Dominic Cormier at 9.27 only for the Devils to level through Jamie Arniel four minutes later.

Ryan Barrow put the hosts ahead just before the halfway mark which is how it stayed until the final two minutes when the Steelers’ hopes were effectively ended by Trevor Cox’s strike at 58.21, a second empty-netter arriving 27 seconds later through Cole Ully.

The Steelers were back on home ice on Sunday to take on Coventry Blaze.

In NIHL National, Leeds Knights hammered bottom club Bristol Pitbulls 8-0 on Saturday.

Second-placed Milton Keynes Lightning beat Hull Seahawks 5-2.

Mac Howlett was the star of the show for the Knights with a hat-trick while import forwards Matt Barron and Jake Witkowski weighed in with two apiece, Oli Endicott also getting on the board.

In Milton Keynes, the Seahawks took the lead through Declan Balmer’s sixth-minute goal.

But Tim Wallace’s team hit back through goals from Ben Brown, Dillon Lawrence (2) and Rory Herrman to lead 4-1 by the end of the second period. Emil Svec made it 4-2 but Ross Venus secured both points for the hosts.

Sheffield Steeldogs’ hopes of a late dash for the play-offs took a further blow when they lost 5-2 at home to Peterborough Phantoms.