Steelers v Panthers

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers picked-up a point on the road at Sheffield Steelers but were beaten 3-2 following a penalty shootout.

Panthers were without forward Reid Stefanson who picked up an injury in training, so defenceman Quinn Wichers came back into the line-up.

Jason Grande, who saved 59 of the 61 shots he faced, started between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up.

No goals in first period
An end-to-end scoreless first period saw Matt Alfaro, Tim Doherty, Sam Herr and Otto Nieminen have the best chances for the Panthers.

At the other end, Grande made good saves to deny Brandon Whistle and Marc-Olivier Vallerand while Daniel Leavens and Mitchell Balmas hit the pipes.

Doherty puts Panthers ahead and Grande makes string of top-class saves
Panthers went in-front when Doherty broke clear left-hand side and fired low past Matt Greenfield (23:48).

The hosts dominated the rest of the period and Grande a string of outstanding saves to deny Mikko Juusola twice, as well as Brien Diffley, Robert Dowd and Mark Simpson.

Fossier scores before Steelers hit back
A deft pass off the right boards by Cooper Zech created a two-on-one break and Doherty fed Mitch Fossier who fired across Greenfield for Panthers' second (43:21).

Sheffield reduced the arrears within three-and-half minutes through Brandon Whistle's one-timer from the slot (46:54) and Dominic Cormier equalised when he cut inside from the left and went short-side (53:56).

Steelers take extra point in the shootout
Overtime was cautious from both sides with Fossier having Panthers' best chance and Grande denying the Steelers with two good close-range saves.

Kristoff Kontos and Zech scored in the shootout for the Panthers, but Balmas netted the game-winner for Sheffield in sudden-death to secure his side the extra point.