SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers failed to make it four wins on the bounce after suffering a narrow 5-4 loss to fierce rivals the Nottingham Panthers on Saturday evening.
photo credit Andy Burnham
The Panthers were missing Jason Williams and Jeff Dimmen whilst the Steelers were missing defenceman Zack Fitzgerald.
Both teams exchanged early chances, with Stephen Schultz coming close for the hosts, and Colton Fretter seeing his wraparound backhand attempt turned aside in the fourth minute.
The hosts soon took the lead at 05:45 with 317-NHL game veteran Brian McGrattan netting a rebound after an initial Robert Farmer shot fell nicely for him after a Steelers turnover in their own zone to make it 1-0.
The visitors were gifted an early powerplay opportunity with former Steeler Chris Lawrence sitting out a 2-minute slashing minor.
Suprisingly, it was the hosts who took advantage and netted a shorthanded goal courtesy of Stephen Schultz whose rocket of a shot flew past Steelers netminder Ervins Mustukovs to make it 2-0.
The Steelers offered chances of their own, with Rob Dowd forcing a great glove save from the Panthers outstanding netminder Miika Wiikman at 15:09.
The Panthers pressed and soon added a third goal with Brian McGrattan firing home his 17th goal of the season with a well-taken one-timer at 17:17.
With little over a minute in the period remaining, the Panthers netted a fourth goal past a shell-shocked Sheffield side with Captain Brad Moran finding the back of the net with a one-timer from the left wing slot at 18:57.
A resurgent Sheffield came out for the second period with fire in their bellies and had the hosts on the back foot with a string of early chances.
The Steelers soon found a lifeline with Guillaume Desbiens picking up a rebounded effort from linemate Geoff Walker and firing low past Wiikman at 25:16.
Just over three minutes later the Steelers halved the deficit after Andreas Valdix showed some good composure, waiting for Miika Wiikman to commit before firing a well-placed wrist shot high past him at 28:39.
The Steelers were handed a four-minute powerplay at 32:45 when Brad Moran drew blood after an accidental high stick on Steelers centreman John Armstrong.
The visitors failed to capitalise on the advantage with any chances being thwarted by the excellent Miika Wiikman.
With just 54 seconds remaining in the period, Sheffield added a third courtesy of a sublime wristshot from Andreas Valdix which struck the crossbar before beating Wiikman 39:06.
No further scoring followed in a much improved second period from the visitors, who at 4-0 down displayed great character and perseverance to rally and reply with three unanswered goals of their own.
The hosts were determined to protect their lead and they did just that by adding a fifth goal just 71 seconds into the start of the period.
Veteran Great Britain forward and Panthers player/Assistant Coach David Clarke fired a one-timer through Mustukovs’ five-hole to extend his teams lead to 5-3.
Just 39 seconds after the goal, the Panthers had a prime opportunity to extend the advantage when Robert Farmer and Brian McGrattan found themselves on a 2-on-1 only to be denied by an outstanding stacked leg pad save from Mustukovs denying ‘BigErn’ of his hattrick.
Just two minutes later the Panthers came agonisingly close once again when Matt Carter backhanded an effort off the crossbar at 44:00.
At 47:02 the Steelers added a fourth with Colton Fretter popping the water bottle with a ferocious wristshot giving his team and the excellent travelling support a boost.
The Steelers gained momentum from the goal but once again couldn’t capitalise and were kept at bay by Wiikman once again. Most notably, a point blank effort from Walker being turned aside by Wiikman.
With just over a minute in the game remaining, Steelers Head Coach Paul Thompson pulled Mustukovs in favour of an extra attacker. The tactical change almost paid off with Walker and Ben O’Connor coming close for the visitors, but the Panthers held on to see the game out and claim a valuable two points.
The Steelers have a chance for retribution on Valentine’s Day as they take on the Panthers in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final second leg after gaining a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Nottingham last month.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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