Sat 26 Nov 2022 - 10:19PM
ELITE LEAGUE: STEELERS 3-2 PANTHERS (PENALTY SHOTS)
The Nottingham Panthers produced a dramatic comeback on Corey Neilson's return as Head Coach but were beaten 3-2 on-the-road at Sheffield Steelers after penalty shots.
The Panthers were 2-0 down but Brett Welycka reduced the arrears and Kelly Summers scored with five seconds remaining to secure a point, before Steelers took the extra point in the shootout.
Netminder Alex Dubeau returned after missing the past four games with injury, while Nottingham Lions goalie Luca Sheldon served as back-up.
Defenceman Craig Moore (week-to-week) was unavailable after taking a puck to the face last week against Guildford.
Panthers lost Duggie Lagrone early in the game after he was stretchered off following a heavy fall. He received medical attention during the game and will be undergoing further assessments once home, but was able to walk out of the rink to join the team on the coach back to Nottingham.
Few chances in scoreless first period
Dubeau was called into action within eight seconds, making a save down low from Robert Dowd.
In a period of limited chances, Kelly Summers and Luke Ferrara went closest for the Panthers but saw their shots saved by Matt Greenfield.
Welychka scores after two early Steelers goals
After Mike Hammond and Tanner Sorenson had chances within a minute of the restart, Danny Kristo put Sheffield ahead with a low shot through the five-hole (21:05).
The hosts scored again 85 seconds later through Sebastien Piche's top-shelf finish through traffic from the blueline (22:27).
Brett Welychka scored his 10th goal of the season to reduce the arrears in the closing stages of the period, reacting first to a rebound on the doorstep (39:15).
Summers scores late to secure a point
There were early chances for both sides at the start of the third session as Robert Dowd used his speed to go close for the Steelers, before Adam Brady was denied at the other end.
Panthers grabbed an equaliser with just five seconds remaining as Hammond set-up Summers to score from the blueline on a six-on-four play, with Dubeau lifted for the extra skater and Steelers on the penalty kill after Greenfield was called for a delay of game for kicking the net off its moorings (59:55).
Steelers win tense penalty shootout
Overtime was scoreless and saw end-to-end action but no real clear-cut chances, so the game went to penalty shots.
Panthers were unable to score on seven attempts and Steelers failed to convert their first six, before Brendan Connolly found the net to secure his side the extra point.
Panthers host Storm tomorrow
The Panthers are straight back into action tomorrow with the visit of Manchester Storm in the Elite League (4pm face-off).
It's the special Hockey Fights Cancer night at the Motorpoint Arena.
Click here for more details about how you can show your support and raise money for Nottingham Hospitals Charity.