Allen wins it in OT for Steelers

Photo: Panthers Images

Sheffield Steelers ended a three-game loss streak with an overtime win at a sold out Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.

Marc-Olivier Vallerand gave the Steelers an early lead with an inch-perfect shot high into the near-side corner of Peyton Jones' net with just 1:51 played. The Panthers, however, responded almost immediately on the rush, Mike Hammond's attempted pass across the crease deflected into Matt Greenfield's net off the skate of Kevin Schulze to tie the game at 2:44. An excellent Martin Latal move and backhand finish put the visitors back ahead at 7:18, although the hosts would have wondered how they weren't level when Like Ferrara shot over from the top of the crease with he Panthers' best chance to equalise in the opening period.

The Panthers turned the game on its head in period two and were deservedly ahead by the second intermission. Albin Lindgren scored his first for the team with a powerplay goal at 30:#6 that beat Greenfield through a screen, and just 22 seconds later Adam Brady beat Greenfield from a nearly impossible angle off the wing, high over the Steelers' goalie's head, to put the home side ahead. The Panthers survived a minor on Kelly Summers to lead 3-2 after 40 minutes.

Things stayed tight into period three but it was the Steleers who scored the all-important next goal. Daniel Ciampini's goal was initially ruled out for goalie interference on the play, but Steelers Head Coach Aaron Fox challenged the play and the goal was allowed to stand after video review, tying the scores at 50:51. The play was end to end in the closing stages with both goalies pulling off some important, last-ditch saves to keep it level. 

In overtime, Scott Allen won it for the Steelers 86 seconds in when he was given space to line up a shot past Jones from the slot with no defenseman covering him.