The Junior Report - Nottingham (Home)

Welcome to the first of our match reports for our Junior Members. Hope you enjoy it.

On Saturday 14th of October the Sheffield Steelers took on the in form Nottingham Panthers in front of over 8,000 people at the Fly DSA Arena. The Panthers came into the game on the back of many good performances, including progression to the final 16 of the Champions Hockey League. However, the Panthers were yet to beat the Steelers so far this season, with the Yorkshire outfit gaining 4 points in the Challenge Cup from the two games played. The game was always going to be a feisty affair and certainly lived up to that potential.

The Steelers needed a shake up from recent performances, and within the first 5 minutes of the game, they were off to a flyer. Tim Wallace’s snipe beat the impressive Garnett to give the Steelers the advantage. The Steelers remained on top until Robert Farmer’s wonder goal beat Mustukovs with 2 minutes remaining in the first period. The goal came very much against the run of play, but it was a well taken goal that saw the first period come to a close at 1-1.

The second period saw a nightmare start for the Steelers, a lack of focus and sloppy defending costing them completely. An early goal was what came from the Panthers, and it set the tone for the period. The Steelers were looking lack lustre and needed to show some fight. Almost immediately though the Panthers scored again. A slap shot beat Mustukovs and the Panthers then had the two goal advantage. With the Steelers needing to show some fight, Zack Fitzgerald did just that as he dropped the gloves and went toe to toe with Mathieu Gagnon. That got the Steelers and the crowd going, and they responded 7 minutes later. Marquardt picking up on a rebound and snapping his shot past Garnett. 2-3 at the end of the second period.

The third period was tense for everyone watching. No shots were going in as both Mustukovs and Garnett were outstanding in their respective goals. Late on, the Steelers tied it up. Fretter fired one at goal and Roy was on the doorstep to tip it in past Garnett with two minutes to go. 3-3. Overtime beckoned and both sides had chances to win it in the extra five minutes, but the game ended up going to penalty shots. With Derlago being the only player to score in the shootout, it meant that the visiting Panthers got their first victory of the season over the Steelers by taking a 3-4 victory.

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