The two unwanted waits that the Steelers’ Challenge Cup victory ended

As Sheffield Steelers captain, Jonathan Phillips, lifted the Challenge Cup trophy on Sunday night it ended two long unwanted waits.

The Steelers won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 17 years and Welshman Phillips also got his hands on the trophy for the first time in his 14-year Steelers career.

Devils thrashed the Steelers 7-3 on the Friday night previous to the Challenge Cup final which set the Sunday afternoon game up to be a feisty affair.

Aaron Fox’s men beat Cardiff Devils 4-3 in a tightly contested game in the league leader’s home rink.

Phillips has been a Steelers ever-present during his time at the club and is well renowned as being the one of the best captains the club has ever had.

George Barber, creator of Sheffield Steelers’ website Steel The Puck, said: ” He (Jonathan Phillips) is the best captain we’ve had.

“He’s won everything domestically now as a captain, which is some achievement.”

The Steelers captain has played over 1000 games in the Orange uniform and is the most decorated Steelers captain in the history of the club.

At 37 years of age, Phillips will be hanging his skates up in the coming years.

Barber said that he would want Phillips to stay at the Steelers for a few more years.

He said: “I would hope he stays for a few more seasons. An excellent player who is capable of anything on his day.”

Barber said that the Yorkshire club were “one of if not the best team in the league this season” so the club should be looking at playoff glory.

Steelers ran out victors after a good first period in Cardiff.

The first period ended 2-0 for the Steelers with goals from Davies and Vallerand.

A three goal cushion was quickly established early in the second period when Brendan Connolly scored his penalty shot.

The team GB forward stepped up for the penalty shot and fired past fellow countryman, Ben Bowns, in the Devils goal.

Devils mounted heavy pressure throughout the second period scoring two unanswered goals and cutting the deficit to only one goal going in to the final period of regulation play.

Halfway through the third period Davies netted his second goal of the final to make the score 4-2 to Aaron Fox’s men.

The Challenge Cup looked destined to go to the Steelers with minutes remaining of the clock.

A Joey Haddad goal with one minute of the third period left made the remaining time tense viewing for Steelers fans.

Steelers held on after more mounted pressure from Devils and won the game 4-3.

The Elite League has announced that all the games for the remainder of the 2020/2021 season has been cancelled.

There has been no confirmation of whether or not the league table will remain as it stands which would hand the league title to Cardiff.

It is unclear whether or not the coronavirus pandemic has put a stop to the Steelers playoff hopes after the EIHL announced that all remaining games of the season are cancelled.