Ice Hockey: Steelers keep it clean: Sheffield put up the shutters in cup

SHEFFIELD STEELERS maintained their 100 per cent record in their Benson and Hedges Cup group with two clean sheets, beating Romford Raiders 13-0 and Milton Keynes Kings 5-0 to all but guarantee their place in the quarter-finals, writes Steve Pinder.

Romford held out as best they could in the first two periods, conceding just four goals, but Steelers overwhelmed a tiring side to score nine in the last 20 minutes.

Kings put up more resistance, holding Steelers for the longest goalless period seen at the Arena, 36 minutes, before Les Millie shot past Scott O'Connor to put Steelers on the way to their win.

If Steelers had a fairly easy weekend, Whitley Warriors had to work hard for their two wins against Telford Tigers and Humberside Hawks. Dean Richards, whose clearance to play came hours before face-off, scored two power play goals to add to Ramsay Ali's goal for a 3-0 lead against Telford. They pulled back through Wayne Crawford and Dave Whistle, but Whitley held on for victory.