Steelers v Panthers

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers picked-up a point in the Challenge Cup with a 4-3 overtime defeat on the road at Sheffield Steelers.

Panthers gave a debut to Hungary international defenceman Zsombor Garát and Kristoff Kontos returned to action after missing the past three games.

Cooper Zech and Jaakko Niskala (both lower body) were out of the line-up. Rok Stojanovic got the start in goal with Ryan Bednard as back-up.

Nieminen puts Panthers ahead in first period
Panthers made a strong start with Davis Bunz, Ollie Betteridge and Otto Nieminen all going close.

At the other end, Quinn Wichers made a outstanding goalline save to scoop the puck away from danger.

Kontos set-up Nieminen who fired a beauty of a one-timer from the right-circle to put Panthers ahead (14:02).

Alfaro and Stefanson extend Panthers lead
Panthers scored their second moments after a two-man advantage came to an end as Hugo Roy and Kontos combined to feed Matt Alfaro on the five-on-four powerplay (21:28).

Steelers hit back within 63 seconds when Daniel Leavens scored on the rebound from close-range (22:31), before Stojanovic made two huge saves to deny Patrick Watling and Daniel Ciampini.

It was 3-1 to Panthers when Kontos - who was at the heart of everything Panthers did - swung around the net and his deflected shot fell to Reid Stefanson in the slot (29:42).

Steelers net twice in third period
Leavens reduced the arrears with his second of the night as he converted on the odd-man rush (46:51).

Stojanovic made two point-blank saves as Sheffield had an extended spell of pressure, but could nothing about Kevin Tansey's deflected shot from the blueline (57:27).

Dowd secures extra point for the Steelers
Steelers had the momentum going into overtime and their pressure told with the winning goal in the extra period.

A great play behind the net saw the puck come to Robert Dowd who secured the extra point for the hosts (61:41)