Steelers thrash Panthers in Nottingham

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers made it three wins from their opening trio of games with a thumping win over rivals Nottingham Panthers at the Motorpoint Arena.

The Steelers came out all guns blazing in the opening period as their hosts were caught very much on their heels. Daniel Ciampini was left unmarked at the far post to tap in a Josh Nicholls pass with 78 seconds played, and inside five minutes it was 2-0 - Robert Dowd with the empty net to aim at after a beautiful play from Mitchell Balmas and Marc-Olivier Vallerand at 4:19. The visitors continued to dominate and spend long phases in the Panthers zone, and eventually made it three through Mark Simpson at 16:46. 

The Panthers killed off three penalties to begin period two, including a 5-on-3 Steelers advantage, with the crowd responding - but they were unable to capitalise on either that momentum, or two minors on the Steleers in the midway point of the period. They were punished inside the final four minutes of the second - Scott Allen tipped Colton Saucerman's shot in front of Mike Robinson at 36:30 to get the Steelers' fifth of the night, before a defensive error allowed Nicholls to set up Mitchell Balmas who beat Robinson with an excellent finish into the roof of the net at 38:37. Vallerand finished high on the backhand to make it 6-0 with 10 seconds left in the period.

The final period ended without goals, although only an excellent, last-ditch save from Robinson prevented the Steelers from adding a seventh. Greenfield in the Sheffield net was replaced with 3:28 to play having stopped all 29 shots he faced - Angus Laing came in for his Steelers debut and turned away another two as the visitors shut out their hosts to take the two cup points.