SHEFFIELD, UK – The Steelers broke the hearts of the Nottingham Panthers once again with a dramatic late winner from Mark Matheson with just 5 seconds remaining of tonight’s epic 9 goal thriller.
5 Goals from the Steelers with the winner coming just 5 seconds from the end of the game on the night the Steelers confirmed their new 5 year contract with the Fly DSA (Sheffield) Arena.
With over 8,600 inside the Arena the atmosphere was electric – Sheffield expected – however it was the Panthers who were off to the great start.
Ollie Beteridge had the Panthers 1-0 up inside 2 minutes.
Boom – the Steelers hit back, the man of the moment Liam Kirk (With the head scout from the Buffalo Sabres in the building watching him) levelled the scoring with an inch perfect wrist shot for 1-1 after 2.16.
With just 3.10 remaining in the first period Jeff Brown put the Panthers back ahead (1-2)
Panthers extended their lead at 25.42 when Zack Phillips beat Mustukovs for a 3-1 score line in the visitors favour.
Steelers then responded hitting 3 goals without reply in just 6 minutes and 20 seconds to turn the game on it’s head.
Matt Marquardt made it 2-3 at 28.38 with a low shot that beat Michael Garnett
With Pither and Billingsley sitting out minor penalties the Steelers struck on the 5/3 power-play.
Matheson and Roy set up Westerling for the equaliser at 31.02
Boom – the Steelers were ahead, an interception from Valdix turned into a 2 on 1 with the Steelers #12 shooting the puck top corner for the go ahead goal.
Nottingham pulled Garnett at this point with Patrick Galbraith now between the pipes.
Galbraith held the Steelers at bay as Nottingham came searching the equaliser. Valdix had a chance to score his second on a back door play but failed to convert.
Nottingham then had their chance. Scott Aarssen disappeared to the penalty box in the 52nd minutes on an interference minor – the Panthers on the PP, and they converted.
Alexander Mokshantsev with the tying goal at 53.37
Then it was the Steelers turn to have a later power-play, Billingsley called for holding with less than 2 minutes remaining.
Matheson led a last dash rush with the clock counting down, his pass found Marquardt who then made the play of the night with his return pass to Matheson who then squeezed the puck past Galbraith for the game winner, with just 5 seconds remaining.
The building erupted, the Steelers win.
Final score: Steelers 5-4 Nottingham Panthers
Man of the match was Mark Matheson for his goal and 3 assists. His “Eddy” involved Brad Day as the pair circled the arena ice.
With Steelers match report
Photos By Michael johnson
@MickGta
Michael.Johnson@prohockeynews.com
‘prohockeynews.com
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