Sat 28 Dec 2024 - 10:00PM
28TH DECEMBER 2024: PANTHERS 2-3 STEELERS
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A spirited third-period comeback proved in vain as Nottingham Panthers were beaten 3-2 by Sheffield Steelers at the Motorpoint Arena.
Panthers were without defenceman Quinn Wichers and forward Matt Alfaro. Ryan Bednard started between the pipes with Jason Grande as back-up.
Tim Doherty had a shot saved inside the first minute and Kristoff Kontos went close after great work by Sam Herr and Mitch Fossier.
At the other end, Bednard made a huge point-blank save to deny Brandon Whistle.
After Panthers dominated the first period, Steelers were in control in the second and scored three unanswered goals.
Robert Dowd netted twice in seven minutes as he put away a rebound (25:20) and then tipped-in Dominic Cormier's shot (32:37), before Daniel Leavens scored from close-range on the powerplay (37:02).
Fossier sparked life into the Panthers when he dropped the gloves with Marc-Olivier Vallerand and 22 seconds later, Didrik Henbrant won a foot-race to the puck and went top-shelf past Matt Greenfield.
Within 78 seconds it was a one-goal game as Ollie Betteridge tipped-in Otto Nieminen's shot (47:20) to crank up the noise in the Motorpoint Arena.
Panthers pushed hard for a leveller and Cooper Zech shot just over following a goalmouth scramble.
Bednard went to the bench for the extra outskater for the final 80 seconds, but Steelers held firm to secure the two points.
Blaze back-to-back and then Clan
Panthers host Coventry Blaze on New Year's Eve (4pm) in front of another sold-out Motorpoint Arena crowd, before the two sides meet again at the Skydome the following day.
Tickets are selling fast for the visit of Glasgow Clan on Saturday 4th January (7pm) with under 1,500 remaining and the game still a week away.
You are urged to secure your seats as soon as possible and join the passionate #PanthersNation for the best night out in Nottingham.