Flames Blunt Steelers as Winning Streak Extends to Elite League Opener

Published on: 24 Sep, 2026
Updated on: 24 Sep, 2026

Four third period goals, including an empty netter inside the last minute, helped Flames kick off their 26-27 league table assault with a 7-4 home win over Sheffield Steelers.

The home win comes on the back of two consecutive Challenge Cup victories and might be extra sweet, following the away 5-4 shootout defeat to the Steelers, just over a week ago.

Last night (September 23) the two clubs exchanged goals in the opening 10 minutes with Steelers taking a lead on the back of a Sean Collins marker at 5:57, but Jake Willets replied 91 seconds later to level at one apiece.

The tie score made it to the late stages until Evan Jasper secured a lead at 15:26, but another quick reply, oddly within the exact same time gap as the previous response, this one by Karl Boudrias, had the clubs sharing an even spread of four goals at the close of the frame.

Flames skipper Matt Alvaro John Uwins

At 27:31, Brandon Whistle nudged Steelers in front for a third time, but the answer back pattern continued with Matt Alvaro knotting it again when he squared it at 29:27.

Early in the third, Cole Sanford’s go ahead goal survived video review. The fast reply this time went the other way with Brien Diffly hitting back to make it four each, but back to back goals by Chase Gresock in the 47th and 49th minutes, the latter on a powerplay, set Flames out to a multi-goal difference they would not give up before Brett Neumann closed out the contest when he sent the puck into the empty cage 20 seconds from time.

“Huge home win for us in first league game,” said Head Coach Paul Dixon.

“It was a pretty even game for most of the night, but we did a good job to keep coming from behind and then we turned it up a bit on the third to be able to see out a win, and we couldn’t be happier with that outcome against a top level team.”

Earlier this week, it was announced that Canadian defenceman Dustyn McFaul has been added to the Flames blueline group. The 6’2”, 185lb skater spent the past pair of seasons at ECHL Fort Wayne Komets where he iced 85 games and had three goals and 10 points after a post-college pro debut with three outings at Florida Everblades in 2024.

From 2019-2024, the 26 year old spent five NCAA seasons at Clarkson University, icing 149 times while posting 28 points. The native of Mississauga, Ontario was captain of the collegiate side for the 2022-2023 campaign.

Dustin McFaul statistics

McFaul spent the bulk of his Junior career at Pickering Panthers where, in 2018-2019, he was selected for the Canadian national programme, icing four games with the Under 19 Canada East side.

“We have run into some injury trouble early so we need to expand the roster and Dustyn is a good fit to help us progress from here,” said Paul Dixon.

“He is a good skater and plays a very strong defensive game.”

“There is a lot to happen between now and the end of the week so hopefully it all works without any delays to get him on the ice Sunday at Manchester, but in any event we will get him in as soon as he has all clearances to take up game activity.”

Match Stats by Don Starr

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