Steelers book place in next round of cup

Photo: Panthers Images

The 5,050-strong crowd at the Motorpoint Arena were treated to a goal-fest on Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena with Nottingham and Sheffield scoring 11 between them in cup action.

There were three inside in the opening 13 minutes with Tanner Sorenson and David Levin both putting the Panthers ahead, only for Daniel Ciampini and Danny Kristo to tie things up for the Steelers each time. The hosts led at the first intermission thanks to Brett Welychka's powerplay marker with 2:32 left in the period.

Period two belonged to the Steelers, however. Martin Látal and Kristo struck just over ten minutes either side of each other to swing Sheffield into a 4-3 lead, and, despite Adam Brady tying the game some 70 seconds later, Robert Dowd's goal at 34:19 put the visitors back ahead. Brandon Whistle gave Aaron Fox's team a two-goal cushion 4:44 into period three, with Brett Neumann finding the empty net with 2:17 left to play.

Brendan Connolly prevented the Panthers from closing the gap late on with an excellent goal-line clearance when the puck was behind Matt Greenfield.

The win ensured the Steelers would qualify for the knockout stages of the cup.