SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers finally recorded a win against their arch rivals the Nottingham Panthers last night, beating them for only the second time this season, in seven attempts.
Steelers on fine form losing just once in their last fourteen games.
David Clarke got the visitors off to the perfect start when he fired home after just 91 seconds. The goal being the Great Britain international’s 31st of the season.
At the same time Clarke was celebrating, Sheffield Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty and Panthers D-Man Brock Wilson had decided to drop the gloves in front of the Panthers bench in an evenly contested bout.
Sheffield were soon back on level terms thanks to fan favourite Colt King, who was on hand to tap home the puck after a scramble in front of Nottingham’s goal at 2:21.
Sheffield pressed but couldn’t find a way past Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski who made a string of fine saves to keep the hosts at bay. Sheffield dominated the first period and out shot the Panthers by 18-9, showing they meant business.
Both teams came out strong in the second period, and Sheffield came close once again when Colt King hit the post after a great move just five minutes in.
Sheffield were soon on the score sheet once again at 33:28, thanks to a great one-timer finish from Steve Birnstill, with Jason Hewitt providing him with a nice pass, making it 2-1.
The Panthers pressed and had the game tied up just over two minutes later courtesy of Nottingham-born forward Robert Lachowicz, who tipped in a shot from Corey Neilson at 35:52 making it 2-2.
Sheffield Steelers defenceman Matt Stephenson voiced his displeasure about the goal to referee Andy Carson, earning himself a ten-minute misconduct penalty.
The Steelers blueliner claimed that Sheffield Steelers netminder John DeCaro was interfered with on the play, sending him down to the ice just before Lachowicz tipped home the equaliser.
Colt King celebrates after making it 1-1. (Picture courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
The visitors ran into penalty trouble in the third period, gifting the Steelers with several powerplay opportunities.
Sheffield, who have been woeful on the powerplay this season kept that tradition going, as they failed to score on six opportunities with the man advantage, and even on a 5-on-3 powerplay.
Ryan Finnerty edged his team ahead at 46:19 when he unleashed a blistering slapshot down the right wing at the top of the slot, leaving Kowalski to pick the puck out of the net, and his water bottle which was sent flying after Finnerty’s marker.
The Panthers frustrations grew, and with just over a minute remaining in the game, Guy Lepine was assessed a 10 minute misconduct penalty for abuse of an official after he disputed his interference penalty that he was assessed.
On the ensuing powerplay Steelers Captain Jonathan Phillips fired home his team’s fourth goal into the empty net, sending the 5000 fans in attendance into frenzy.
Sheffield Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty expressed his thoughts after the game.
“It was a good night all around I think. That’s the way we have to play, more physical, more in your face and under their skin. It worked in Coventry and I think it worked tonight. We carry some big and imposing figures in King and Clark and they both more than did their job tonight,” Finnerty said.
The Steelers will now travel to Dundee on Thursday evening, before battling it out with the Panthers once again, in Nottingham on Saturday.
The Steelers now sit in second position behind leaders the Belfast Giants who have a seven-point advantage over the South Yorkshire side. Sheffield however, have five games in hand over Belfast and the two teams still need to play each other three times this season.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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