Panthers shut out Steelers on Saturday night

Photo: Panthers Images

Kevin Carr stopped 38 shots as the Nottingham Panthers beat rivals Sheffield 3-0 at the Motorpoint Arena, putting a huge dent in the Steelers' league title hopes.

The Panthers, who went into this game without a win against the Steelers in the league, made the perfect start by going ahead inside the first minute. Kevin Domingue played the puck out from behind Rok Stojanovič's net and Kevin Massey fired home to put the hosts ahead with just 16 seconds played.

Over the opening 10 minutes, the Panthers could have easily doubled their lead but for Stojanovič in net. The latter half of the opening period, however, saw the Steelers grow into the game and they were denied a tying goal by Carr on more than one occasion. Robert Dowd hitting the post was the closest they came to drawing level.

The Steelers had the bulk of the chances in period two, but ended up coming out of the 20 minutes down another goal. Carr pulled off two excellent saves in the space of 90 seconds to keep the Panthers ahead, the second of which was also aided by Mark Matheson making a goal-line block and clearance to keep the puck out.

Shortly after, with the Steelers on the powerplay, the puck bounced for Sean Richards to skate through and beat Stojanovič shorthanded with a smart top-shelt finish on his backhand to double the Panthers' lead.

Martin Látal rang a shot off the iron when space opened up for him early in period three, but on the following play the Steelers were grateful to both the post and Stojanovič for keeping them within two.

As it seemed like it just wouldn't be the Steelers' night, the Panthers made sure of the win thanks to Robbie Baillargeon form close range with 3:52 left to play.