SHEFFIELD STEELERS’ Challenge Cup semi-final hopes remain hanging in the balance after they were edged out by Cardiff Devils in South Wales.
It took just the one goal in the entire 60 minutes to settle the contest and that came just 43 seconds in when Kristoff Kontos beat Matt Greenfield from the right circle with a one-time blast.
Thereafter, the Steelers - missing top goalscorer Mitchell Balmas - probably enjoyed the better of the exchanges overall, out-shooting their hosts 32-26, but they couldn’t find the crucial finish.
The result left the Steelers at the top of the Group A standings, tied on points with Nottingham Panthers, who play their last group game against Cardiff on Sunday afternoon. The Devils moved to within two points of the top two as a result of their narrow win at the Vindico Arena.
The Steelers wrap up their group schedule with a visit from Manchester Storm on Wednesday night, while the Devils don’t finish their group games until November 1, when they visit the AO Arena.
“Over the full 60, maybe just see that as a lost opportunity,” said Steelers’ head coach, Aaron Fox. “I've not a lot to be disappointed with in our group, to be fair.
"I thought we competed hard and Cardiff is a pretty physical team and I feel like we were toe-to-toe in that category tonight and didn't feel like we got pushed around at all and played hard.
“We put their D under pressure and we made their guys turn and go get it.
“So I thought there was a tonne of positives for us to build off of - just disappointed that we didn't get the job done.”