Sheffield Steelers advanced to the Challenge Cup semi-finals with a 5-2 win over Manchester Storm at the Utilita Arena on Wednesday. Ryan Tait scored twice in the first period, opening the scoring after Evan Jasper set him up in the slot and later carrying the puck from his own blue line before shooting over Evan Weninger.
Leevi Teissala and Tim Gettinger also scored in the opening period as Sheffield built a 4-1 lead. Stephen Johnson had replied for Manchester, scoring nine seconds after the end of a powerplay. The second period was scoreless, before Anton Karlsson cut the deficit early in the third.
Manchester appeared to score again through Tim McGauley, but Sheffield’s offside challenge was successful and the goal was disallowed. The article says it was the first successful offside coach’s challenge in Elite League regular-season play. Mikko Juusola added Sheffield’s fifth goal to seal the result. Tait said Sheffield were “building momentum and finding our identity”; Johnson called the loss disappointing ahead of Manchester’s remaining home fixtures.