PHN's Best Shots of the Game: Steelers near perfect in 5-1 win over Panthers

The Steelers are heading the Play Off Finals in Nottingham after one of the most incredible nights in the clubs history at the Sheffield Arena.

5-2 down after Saturday’s first leg defeat in Nottingham, Paul Thompson’s side turned it around winning 5-1 after overtime with Guillaume Desbiens scoring the series winner.

The Steelers will now play Belfast Giants in next Saturdays semi-final (4pm)

With 7,500 in attendance – with the Panthers 5-2 up the Steelers had it all to do but you had the impression right from the start that this could be one of those Steeler nights – the team came out flying, creating chances and looking dangerous.

The first goal was always going to be so important and it was the Steelers who broke through when Levi Nelson scored at 18.33

The crowd went wild and Nelson had set the Steelers on their way – the roof was raised.

Steelers had a powerplay immediately after the first goal but had to settle for just the one goal advantage at the end of the first period.

Big moment in the second period. Big John Armstrong took the puck to the net, taken down by the Panthers defenseman. They both crashed into Mikka Wiikman at 32.42

Wiikman was down and not moving. Medical staff from both clubs treated the Panthers goalie. After a lengthy delay he left the game on a stretcher and was taken to hospital, and we are pleased to say later discharged.

Armstrong was awarded a 5 minute penalty and game misconduct for interference.

Dan Green replaced Wiikman in goal for the Panthers, and now with a 5 minute power-play the visitors had a chance to put the game out of the Steelers reach. What happened though was the reverse.

The Steelers not only killed the 5 minute one man Nottingham advantage – they scored shorthanded as well.

Brilliant work from Rod Sarich set up Jonathan Phillips on a breakaway – he pulled a great move on Green and the Steelers led 2-0 at 37.30

Cometh the moment, cometh the most successful Steelers captain in the clubs history, showing once again why he is the clubs leader on and off the ice.

Coach Paul Thompson had asked for the three winning periods. He had two as we entered the final period of regulation play.

8.33 seconds in and the Steelers led 3-0 and had tied the two game series 5-5

The outstanding Markus Nilsson scored from close range to send the crowd delirious.

Now could the Steelers go on and win it – heart rates were pounding. The building hadn’t seen a game like this, an occasion like this for a long time.

Steelers pressure told. A penalty against the Panthers at 54.10 – Stevie Lee for tripping. Power-play time for Dowdy, who when the chance came found the back of the net at 55.23 (Coyle and Nilsson)

The building was electric. Fans couldn’t believe what they were witnessing. 5-2 down to 6-5 up (4-0 on the night)

The Panthers are a proud club with a winning tradition in this competition, they weren’t going to lay down and they came hard at thSteelersrs in the final minutes. Green was pulled for the extra skater. Twice the Steelers shot for the empty net but couldn’t find their way through.

The seconds counted down ever slower and then in the most cruel way the Panthers scored, with just 8 seconds remaining in the game – former Steeler Chris Lawrence the man with the final tip.

This game was going into overtime. The teams left the ice as the ice was cut. A 10 minute 4 on 4 was ahead.

The 10 minutes wasn’t needed. Chances at both ends until Guillaumeup Desbiens picked the puck up in his own zone.

Desi went end to end forcing the defenseman wide then cutting in to beat Green from close range at 63.21

The red light came on, the relief.

The Steelers had won it in the most brilliant of circumstances – it was truly one of the great Steeler nights. Pure Steelers theater.

Watch the goals on the Steelers Facebook Page HERE

Final score: Steelers 5-1 Nottingham Panthers – Steelers win 7-6 over the two-legged series.

Man of the match was the game winner, Guillaume Desbiens – he entertained with “The Eddy”
With Sheffield match report