Points on the Board for the Steeldogs
A hat-trick from Dante Salituro helped the Sheffield Steeldogs to an impressive 4-1 victory over Peterborough Phantoms at iceSheffield on Saturday night.
Salituro struck once in each period before Walker Sommer added Sheffield’s fourth just 42 seconds after the hat-trick goal, completing an excellent night for the Steeldogs.
Sommer also enjoyed a big evening with a goal and three assists, while the Sheffield defence shut Peterborough out after the visitors had levelled the game early in the opening period.
First Period – Salituro Opens the Scoring
The Steeldogs made the breakthrough at 5:17.
Good work from Walker Sommer and Jonathan Phillips created the opportunity for Dante Salituro, who found the net to give Sheffield an early 1-0 advantage.
Peterborough responded quickly, however.
At 7:54, Henry Newell converted from Aiden-Jay Herring to bring the Phantoms level.
The opening period became increasingly physical as it progressed.
Peterborough’s Joseph Gretton was called for tripping at 14:08 before both teams picked up roughing penalties at 16:45, Scott Robson sitting for the visitors and Jacob Brammer for Sheffield.
Tempers then boiled over late in the period, with Liam Morris involved in a fight at 19:35, receiving a five-minute fighting penalty and game misconduct.
Herring was also penalised for roughing as an eventful first 20 minutes came to a close.
Steeldogs 1-1 Peterborough
Second Period – Salituro Strikes on the Power Play
Sheffield regained the lead early in the second period after Peterborough’s Flynn Massie was penalised for high sticking at 23:58.
The Steeldogs took full advantage.
At 25:21, Salituro scored his second goal of the night on the power play, assisted by Sommer and CJ Garcia, to make it 2-1.
Peterborough were handed another penalty later in the period when Louie Kynaston was called for slashing at 33:27, but the Phantoms survived that spell short-handed.
Neither side could add to the scoring before the second intermission, leaving Sheffield with the narrowest of advantages heading into the final 20 minutes.
Steeldogs 2-1 Peterborough
Third Period – Hat-Trick for Salituro
The Steeldogs had to kill an early third-period penalty when Maks Maslak was called for tripping at 43:33.
Sheffield’s penalty kill did its job before the home side began to apply pressure at the other end.
Peterborough were then reduced to four when Herring was called for interference at 47:19, although again the visitors managed to survive.
The decisive moment arrived at 53:21.
Salituro completed his hat-trick, finishing a move involving Sommer and Jonathan Phillips to give Sheffield some breathing room at 3-1.
The celebrations had barely died down before the Steeldogs struck again.
Peterborough picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty immediately following the goal, putting Sheffield back onto the power play.
Just 42 seconds later, at 54:03, Walker Sommer converted from Salituro and Jonathan Kirk to make it 4-1.
That capped an outstanding night for Sheffield’s two leading offensive performers.
Salituro finished with three goals and an assist, while Sommer recorded one goal and three assists, having been involved in all four Steeldogs goals.
Peterborough were unable to find a response and the Steeldogs comfortably saw out the closing minutes to secure another home victory.
Final Score
Sheffield Steeldogs 4-1 Peterborough Phantoms
Steeldogs scorers:
Dante Salituro 5:17
Dante Salituro 25:21 PP
Dante Salituro 53:21
Walker Sommer 54:03 PP
Peterborough:
Henry Newell 7:54
A four-point night for both Salituro and Sommer, with Salituro’s hat-trick providing the headline as the Steeldogs claimed a convincing 4-1 win at iceSheffield.
