NOTTINGHAM, UK – Both Steelers and Panthers were at full strength with their strongest rosters to choose from. Steelers began the game with Domish and Munn in defence on their top line with Tait, Talbot and Legue up front. Their bitter rivals from the lace city iced Neilson and Meyers as their principle defensive unit while Levers, Heerema and Beauregard were the Panthers first forward unit to hit the ice.
The opening game of the weekend got off to a pulsating start as both sides gave all they had in the early exchanges. Steelers Player/Coach Ben Simon got his side off to the perfect start after just 2 minutes when he netted the games opening goal. Sheffield further extended their lead on the 5 minute mark when Robert Dowd netted to send his bench and the Steelers fans into raptures.
Steelers first goal
Nottingham came straight back at their bitter rivals and Tkaczuk and Neilson both had chances to score for the home side. However Panthers were able to pull a goal back with 7 minutes on the clock when British forward Marc Levers beat Sheffield’s Latvian International netminder Ervins Mustokov.
Panthers continued to press forward and David Beauregard was only denied due a superb Mark Thomas check as the Nottingham forward was about to shoot with Steelers goalie Mustokovs out of position. Beuregard wasn’t to be denied though as he netted the game tieing goal only moments later.
Both sides were playing a physical game and Nottingham’s Rob Bellamy was trying to get into the face of the Steelers at any opportunity. The opening period ended with the scores tied at 2-2.
The 2nd stanza begin at a much lower pace than the 1st period had however that wasn’t to last for long as both teams soon got back to their attacking best. Phillips went close for the Elite League Champions shortly into the 2nd session. Panthers continued to chirp away at their opponents as Rob Bellamy had words with both Clark and Campbell during the middle session.
Steelers created a number of chances during a powerplay opportunity midway through the period, Kowalski was almost beaten in a goalmouth scramble while Neil Clark also went very close while his side had the man advantage. After 40 minutes of action the scores were still tied at 2-2.
Steelers were unable to take advantage of an early powerplay opportunity in the 3rd period even though Robert Dowd was creating quite a lot of opportunities for his team mates. Steelers were awarded a penalty shot after 45 minutes of play as Ben Simon was brought down when through on net. Simon was unable to convert his chance from center ice as his low shot was comfortably saved by Kowalski in the Panthers net.
Simon%27s penalty shot
Nottingham made Simon pay for his miss as Panthers took the lead on 48 minutes when Jeff Heerema smashed a superb strike into the back of the net. Steelers came straight back at Nottingham though and Ben Simon netted his 2nd of the game to the tie the contest at 3-3 after just under 50 minutes of action.
Steelers feisty British forward Jason Hewitt had a great chance to put his side into the lead however the gritty center was not quick enough to take full advantage of the breakaway opportunity. He did get a shot on Kowalski which the netminder was able to deal with relatively adequately. In the dying minutes of the game Sheffield were unable to take advantage of a late powerplay opportunity.
Lachowicz after netting the game winning goal
With the score tied at 3-3 the game headed into sudden death overtime. Only a minute into the extra period Nottingham’s rookie forward Robert Lachowiz found the back of the net after Steelers Mustokov was unable to hold onto the puck. Youngster Lachowicz will have never scored such an important goal as his strike sees his side move into tomorrow’s Play Off Final which will be against either the Belfast Giants or Cardiff Devils.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
Images courtesy of Paul Lynch Photography
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