Sheffield Steelers have clinched their third regular season Elite League title after completing a weekend double over Braehead Clan.

Steelers won 5-1 in Scotland on Saturday, before romping to a 7-2 home win on Sunday.

It meant Sheffield finished tied with Cardiff on 87 points at the top of the table but won the title courtesy of more regulation time wins.

They will now face Dundee Stars in the two-legged play-off quarter-finals.

Steelers could not have dreamed of enjoying such a successful season when former owner Bob Phillips put the club up for sale in July after coach Dave Matsos, general manager Mike O'Connor and founder David Simms resigned.

They were taken over by Cardiff owner Paul Ragan in December and defenceman Rod Sarich, who scored twice in Sunday's title-clinching victory, said it was hard to believe the turnaround in the club's fortunes.

Sarich told BBC Radio Sheffield: "It seemed a long way away in the middle of summer when everything was up in the air, but it feels pretty good right now.

"It's been as close as I've known it but I guess we managed to sneak out those couple of games that made a difference.

"We made it hard on ourselves but we managed to get it done. We've been pretty consistent and have been near the top most of the year, but we've kept battling away and managed to sneak it out."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version