Sat 28 Sep 2024 - 9:45PM

28TH SEPTEMBER 2024: PANTHERS 3-4 STEELERS

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A short-benched Nottingham Panthers produced a battling performance in front of superb crowd of over 6,000 at the Motorpoint Arena, but were beaten 4-3 by Sheffield Steelers in an entertaining Challenge Cup encounter.

Panthers went toe-to-toe with last season's Grand Slam winners but just came up short in a seven-goal thriller.

Nottingham were without Cooper Zech (lower body injury) while Kristoff Kontos also missed out (precaution).

Ryan Bednard got the start between the pipes with Rok Stojanovic as back-up.

The Steelers took an early lead when the puck hit Mikko Juusola at close range and bounces over Bednard's pad (1:16).

Panthers equalised as Jaakko Niskala's shot was tipped past Matt Greenfield by Tim Doherty (6:42).

But Sheffield hit back only 41 seconds later as Robert Dowd fed Marc-Olivier Vallerand who hit the top corner on an odd-man rush (7:23).

Didrik Henbrant made it 2-2 with an outstanding goal as he forced a turnover, beat Dominic Cormier and cut inside to fire across Greenfield into the top corner (21:23).

Brandon Whistle's penalty-shot put Steelers ahead again (35:56) and Kevin Tansey scored into an empty net from his own zone in the closing stages with Bednard lifted for the extra skater (58:31).

Sam Herr gave the Panthers hope just 24 seconds later with a deflected shot (58:54), but the Steelers hung on to secure the two points.

Panthers are back in action tomorrow with a trip to face Coventry Blaze (5:30pm face-off).