Devils suffer 6-3 loss on the road to Steelers

Cardiff Devils suffered a 6-3 defeat at Sheffield Steelers, but results elsewhere keeps their Elite League title challenge alive.

The Welsh side staged a late fightback to beat Fife Flyers at home on Saturday, but there were no late heroics at Utilita Arena.

Josh MacDonald's two goals were matched by the home side's Stephen Harper in the first period, with Brett Ritchie giving Steelers a 3-2 lead.

Ritchie and Jordon Southorn added to the tally in the second while Joey Martin's effort kept Devils in touch. Mitchell Balmas scored a sixth goal in the final period to seal a convincing win.

"It was a back-and-forth game early, but we didn't have enough to make a comeback," said Devils' MacDonald.

"We have to find a way to stop those goals or make the comeback, but we can't keep going behind and expecting to recover."

Devils remain second in the table, a point above Nottingham Panthers who lost 5-4 at Guildford Flames.

Leaders Belfast Giants picked up one point from a 3-2 overtime defeat by Manchester Storm and now lead Devils by three points with a game in hand.

Devils will look to return to winning ways on Friday when they travel to Dundee Stars while Steelers go to Storm on Saturday.