DEPEW — Special teams were the downfall for the Dunkirk-Fredonia Steelers in a 5-2 loss to top-tier division opponent Depew late Wednesday evening in high school hockey.

Two power-play goals and a short-handed tally were the difference in the contest in which the Wildcats were dominant in the middle portion. During the second period, Depew outshot the Steelers 24-1 and outscored them 4-0.

Dunkirk-Fredonia took a 1-0 lead in the first period on the power play when Jared Heyden found Carter D’Agostino streaking to the net and connecting on a back-hand shot. Alex Venn tallied the second goal in the third period on an assist from Michael Persch.

Nicolas Novelli was in net for the Steelers and stopped 37 shots. For the game, Dunkirk-Fredonia tallied 18 shots.

On Sunday, the Steelers (1-3-2, 1-0-1 in divisional play) are back home at Steele Hall to face divisional opponent City Honors at 3 p.m.