Steelers edge past Panthers in shootout

Photo: Hayley Roberts

9,241 fans saw an enthralling game at the Utilita Arena that went the full distance, with Sheffield Steelers coming from two down to eventually beat Nottingham Panthers in a shootout.

The Steelers hit the pipes of Jason Grande’s net twice in an opening period that ended scoreless. Both Brandon Whistle and Daniel Leavens saw Grande beaten but the iron-work deny them giving the hosts the lead. The Panthers grew into things are the period progressed, but without calling Matt Greenfield into any serious action.

If the Steelers were frustrated by Grande’s posts in the opening period, that was nothing compared with their frustration to be behind after the second thanks to the man himself pulling off a string of exceptional saves. The Panthers went ahead 3:48 into the period when they caught their hosts 2-on-1 the other way, and Tim Doherty beat Greenfield low to put the visitors ahead. Grande made an excellent stick stop to deny Marc-Olivier Vallerand tying the game at the far posts seven minutes into the period, and then a huge pad save to keep his team ahead at the click ticked down on the period.

3:21 into period three, Mitch Fossier beat Greenfield to put the Panthers two up on the road. Grande was the difference between the teams, but could do nothing about the Steelers getting on the board some 90 seconds later - a bad giveaway by the Panthers in their own zone setting up Brandon Whistle for the finish in the slot.

Danny Stewart called his timeout to steady his team but, much like Adam Keefe six nights earlier, saw his team give up the equaliser. While Grande had been exceptional all night, he couldn't hold Dominic Cormier's shot form the wing and it dropped in behind him over the line for a tied game with 6:04 to play. The Steelers hit a post for a fourth time as they tried to score on a late powerplay, but overtime probably was a fair reflection of the game.

The biggest chance of the bonus period fell to Fossier on a breakaway, but a diving poke-check from Mitchell Balmas prevented the opportunity. Going the other way, the Steelers later messed up a 3-on-1 as they tried to win it.

In the end, the game was decided in a shootout. Goals from Kris Kontos and Cooper Zech, with only Mikko Juusola responding, gave Hugo Roy the chance to win things in Round 4. He missed, and Patrick Watling scored to keep things alive. Doherty couldn't finish it in round five, and after Kontos missed in sudden death it fell to Balmas to win it for the Steelers.