Steelers take shootout win after Panthers tie it late

Photo: Dean Woolley

Nottingham Panthers fought from two goals down to earn a point on Corey Neilson's return as Head Coach, but were unable to score at all in the shootout before Brendan Connolly took the extra point for Sheffield Steelers at Utilita arena.

This game was one of several to end without a goal in the opening period on Saturday night, but the 7,631 fans in attendance didn't have to wait long for the deadlock to be broken in period two - just 65 in fact needed until Danny Kristo out-waited Alex Dubeau and slotted through the five-hole to put the Steelers ahead. It got better for the home side 1:22 later when Sebastian Piché unleashed a rocket slapshot to put the hosts two ahead. 

Sheffield should have extended their lead but a combination of Dubeau and bodies in front of the net, including Steelers' forward Adam Raška blocking one chance accidentally, kept the Panthers just a pair behind. With 45 seconds left in period two, the puck fell kinds for Brett Welychka to bat home on the half-volley and bring the visitors back to within one. 

Period three saw chances at both ends, although the Steelers had the better of the pressure and looked the most likely to score. They didn't, however, and with Dubeau pulled inside the final two minutes of the game, and a penalty called on the Steelers for displacing the net a second time in short succession, Kelly Summers fired through a screen of players in front of Matt Greenfield to tie the game with just five seconds left in regulation.

Overtime barely had a break in play for anyone to catch their breath, but neither side could take advantage of the chances creased. In the shootout, neither side could score through six rounds, but when JC Brassard missed in the seventh it fell to Brandan Connolly to win it for the Steelers.