4210 witnessed this top of the table clash with the sides having already secured berths in the Challenge Cup semis. And Giants thoroughly deserved to inflict a first defeat of the season on the home side in Sheffield's 12th game.

Giants out-muscled the home team although Ryder was the busier early on. Bobyck created space for Dutiaume but he blasted wide. Then Ryder enjoyed a little good fortune as Anderson went to the net and play was whistled down with the puck loose.

DeWaele took a tripping penalty on his own blue and Dopson was soon busy. Steelers survived that one but a bouncing puck wasn't cleared and Kenny fed Sample on the right to net low (10.33).

Giants then killed a penalty of their own, though Adams skied over from close range and at the other end Dopson had to be at his best to thwart Berens and Ward.

Steelers levelled when Jason Bowen went for holding the stick and Adams scored from close-in (17.14). Not such good news was the loss of Shudra injured.

Into the second and Ward whipped the puck off Irving's toes at the back post, then Ryder was almost robbed by Bliss in front of his net. Berens burst into the zone to force a big save, then Ryder saved twice as the game went end-to-end. Irving took a slashing penalty and D was kept busy and the Sheffield defence was visibly tiring. Ruff and Kenny in particular were causing problems. Adams and Johnson clashed mid-ice and with the sides 4-on-4, Ruff fed Ward who span and netted in one fluid movement (38.29).

Sheffield upped their game, with Anderson moved back up front after a spell on defence. From a face-off on the left, the puck was worked around the zone and Dutiaume netted on the doorstep (42.49) to tie. Bobyck flattened Jamieson for 2+10 checking from behind and Giants made the powerplay count, Ward netting at the back post seconds after the same move brought a save (45.01) and it proved to be the game winner.

Giants continued to give the home side a torrid time, but Sample's holding penalty (50.50) gave the home side hope. Ryder made just a superb stop from Bobyck close in and two minutes later Steelers' coach Mike Blaisdell called a time-out. Todd Kelman made the game safe firing through traffic from the blue line (58.02) and after Blaisdell lifted his goalie for an extra skater with 98 seconds left, Kelman slid the puck down the ice into the empty net (58.33).

So Giants are two points clear with Sheffield having two games in hand.