Mon 26 Dec 2022 - 6:41PM

ELITE LEAGUE: SHEFFIELD 3-2 PANTHERS

The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 3-2 by Sheffield Steelers in the Utilita Arena in the Viaplay Elite League in front of a sell-out crowd of over 9,000.

It's the first of back-to-back meetings with a sell-out in Nottingham tomorrow afternoon for part two of the Christmas double-header (4pm).

Panthers were without Duggie Lagrone and Craig Moore, so Jordan Kelsall and Fabrizio Ricci continued on defence.

After a scoreless first period, Panthers went ahead through Jeremy Walsh's rebound after Adam Brady had seen his shot saved (31:37).

Brett Neumann used his speed to race into the offensive zone and went five-hole for Sheffield's equaliser (39:15).

Sebastien Piche slammed the home side into the lead from the right circle (43:15) and 50 seconds later it was 3-1 as Scott Allen scored on the rebound (44:05).

Panthers pushed for a way back into the game and closed the gap through Tanner Sorenson's clever wrist shot from the right circle from Mike Caruso"s pass (55:34).

Nottingham went in search of a late equaliser but took a late too many men penalty, so were unable to have a numerical advantage when they lifted Dubeau for the extra skater.