Sheffield Steelers 0-3 Belfast Giants

Steelers' new coach Rob Stewart faced his old team Belfast in this season opener, whilst Belfast player coach Tony Hand paid his first return to Sheffield since Steelers retired his shirt two seasons ago.

3717 saw Belfast simply out-muscle a Sheffield side short of two top-line players who have still to be signed. And with Martin klempa in such fine form between the pipes, Giants are going to be one tough team to beat. The only time Klempa mised the puck his left post saved him after local youngster Gavin Farrand broke away in the final minute.

Steelers added Mark Florence from Hull to their roster for this one with Steve Duncombe not dressing.

Diarmuid Kelly was guitly of blazing wide after being superbly set-up by Belfast player-coach Tony Hand 5 minutes in. Another 6 minutes and Platt did well to poke the puck away after another incisive pass from Hand.

The breakthrough goal came in the middle session on Giants' fifth powerplay as Gavin Farrand sat an interference minor. Steelers captain Dion Darling had earned a 10 minute misconduct at the same time and could only look on as George Awada bundled the puck in from close range (27.18).

Giants' Mel Angelstadt also took a ten minute misconduct after objecting to his cross-checking minor two minutes later. But Steelers failed to test Klempa on the powerplay. After Giants had killed Shane Johnson's third minor of the night, Frederik Nasvall netted short-side after a neat move that drew goalie Jayme Platt off his near left post (38.23).

Early in the final period Klempa got himself in a tangle on the floor but Brent Bobyck was unable to profit. As Steelers faded away it was no surprise that Giants added a third goal, Curt Bowen firing home from the right wing after Platt had denied Angelstadt at point-blank range seconds earlier (54.41).

One bright note for the home fans was the form of youngster Greg Wood gaining planty of ice-time centring the third line.