Steelers stay perfect in cup

Photo: Panthers Images

Sheffield Steelers kept their unbeaten cup record going with a three-goal win over rivals Nottingham Panthers.

Sheffield went ahead at 7:46 with Kameron Kielly getting his first for the Steelers , finishing off a well-placed Brandon Whistle pass in front. The Panthers were level off a powerplay goal from Hugo Roy, looping a rebound from an Otto Nieminen shot over Anthony Morrone as 12:07, as the opening period ended all square. 

Daniel Ciampini restored the Steelers' lead 3:31 into period two with the final touch off a Patrik Watling powerplay shot; before Marc-Olivier Vallerand struck just over 90 seconds later to put the visitors 3-1 ahead. They could have led by more after 40 minutes, but had a goal washed out for a high stick with just over seven minutes left in the period. 

The fourth Steelers goal came with 8:04 to play through Cole Shudra, effectively killing off the game in the closing the stages. 

The win keeps the Steelers undefeated in Challenge Cup action and firmly on top of Group C.