Panthers beat Steelers with shootout win

Photo: Panthers Images

A sold-out Motorpoint Arena saw a classic between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers that was eventually decided in a shootout. The Panthers were in their retro jerseys celebrating the 25th anniversary of playing in the new arena, and it was a game befitting the occasion.

After an even opening few minutes, the Steelers’ powerplay went to work and looked very threatening. Marc-Olivier Vallerand hit a post before excellent passing set up Robert Dowd at the far post to open the scoring at 5:02.

The Steelers were doing well to restrict the Panthers to very little offensive zone time, with a Kris Kontos shot in close the closet the home side came in the opening stages until ringing a shot off the post as the period neared an end. Sheffield were good value for their league through 20 minutes.

There was no scoring in period two but the middle 20 minutes wasn’t without its chances. Jason Grande produced a candidate for save of the week to deny Mikko Juusola with his left pad, while the Steelers also created several odd-man rushes where the final pass was either blocked or deflected away.

Henbrandt had the Panthers’ best chance of the period when he got away shorthanded, but Colton Saucerman as the covering defenseman just did enough to affect Henbrant’s shot. Hugo Roy’s breakaway was also stopped well by Greenfield as the Panthers pushed towards the end of the period.

Patrick Watling hit the inside of the bar as the Steelers almost went back ahead shortly after conceding.

The goal that the Panthers were pushing for finally came with just over 10 minutes to go. A Josh Tetlow shot from the point took a deflection in front and put the puck right on the stick of Tim Doherty to beat a stranded Matt Greenfield with 48:49 on the clock. A late penalty on Daniel Ciampini saw the Panthers call a timeout with 4:47 to go, although shorthanded Mitchell Balmas raced away only for Grande to pull off another excellent save.

Nottingham had looks to try and win the game, but nothing that called Greenfield into any last-ditch saves. Overtime was a fair reflection on the game with both sides taking a point.

In overtime, the Panthers had the better of the opening phases with pressure in the Steelers zone, but shots just over or wide preventing them winning it. The best chance of Balmas hockey came with 40 seconds left when Balmas hit the inside of Grande’s post.

In the end, things were decided in a shootout. Kontos, Doherty and Zech all scored for the Panthers, with only Juusola in reply. When Grande stopped Watling's shot, the Panthers took the extra point.