Sat 29 Oct 2022 - 9:33PM
CHALLENGE CUP: STEELERS 7-3 PANTHERS
The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 7-3 on-the-road by Sheffield Steelers in the Challenge Cup on Saturday night.
Defeat for the Panthers means their place in the knockout stages is still not secure and their fate will go down to their last group game with Manchester Storm a week on Sunday.
The Panthers welcomed back Andrew Johnston in the line-up who has been out of action since 8th October because of injury.
Alex Dubeau got the start in goal after missing the past five games through suspension, while Nottingham Lions netminder Matty Bloor was back-up.
Hazeldine and Levin on target as Panthers lead at first intermission
Dubeau made a good early save from Niklas Nevalainen's shot from the slot, while David Levin had two quick chances in succession for the Panthers.
Nottingham took the lead through Archie Hazeldine's first Elite League goal as his shot was deflected past Matt Greenfield after a feed from Matthew Myers (6:05).
Hazeldine then turned provider as his blast from right point was tipped past Greenfield by Levin for his third goal of the season (13:44).
But Steelers closed the gap in the closing stages of the opening session when Daniel Ciampini cut inside from the right and fired top shelf past Dubeau (18:46).
Steelers turn game around with two-goal second period
Dubeau produced an outstanding close-range pad save from Brandon Whistle, but could do nothing to stop Tomas Pitule who broke clear and fired cleverly through the five-hole (22:02).
Steelers took the lead two-and-a-half minutes later when Sebastien Piche's shot from right point took a massive deflection past Dubeau (25:41) and it was 4-2 soon after as Nevalainen had so much space to tee-up Matt Petgrave (29:22).
Panthers closed the gap when Sorenson's shot from behind the red line deflected off Greenfield's shoulder (31:20). The goal went to video review but the puck was adjudged to be over the line before the net was off its moorings.
Sheffield hit straight back as Whistle's clever redirect deceives Dubeau and Steelers regained their two-goal advantage (33:44).
Steelers ease to victory with solid third period
Martin Latal scored Sheffield's sixth on the powerplay as he put away a rebound on the doorstep (46:37).
Steelers netted their seventh on the powerplay as Robert Dowd swept home another rebound after a massive goalmouth scramble (50:01).
Panthers host Cardiff tomorrow
The Panthers are straight back in action tomorrow with Cardiff Devils visiting the Motorpoint Arena (4pm face-off).
It's a special Halloween game with prizes to be won for the best-dressed supporters and free Chuck-a-Pucks for juniors (12 and under) in fancy dress. Click here for more details.
Family tickets are available for this game. Click here to purchase your tickets.