Overall Match Summary
A Boxing Day classic at the Utilita Arena saw the Sheffield Steelers edge out arch-rivals Nottingham Panthers 4–3 in overtime, in a game packed with intensity, momentum swings and elite-level drama befitting a top-of-the-table clash. Played in front of a record-breaking Elite League era crowd of over 9,500, boosted by the opening of the new Sky’s Edge seating, the occasion felt special long before the puck dropped. With both sides level on 34 points coming into the night, this was as much a statement game as it was a rivalry fixture.
The Steelers entered the contest riding a three-game winning streak following a perfect four-point road weekend before Christmas, and despite being without returning grand-slammer Patrick Watling, they showed depth and resilience throughout. Kyle Watson stepped up from the Steeldogs to skate on the fourth line, while Matthew Greenfield got the nod between the pipes opposite Panthers netminder Kevin Carr.
Statistically, the game was finely balanced. Nottingham finished with a slight edge in shots on goal (38–34), but the Steelers were clinical when it mattered, finishing with a higher shooting efficiency and winning the faceoff battle. Sheffield’s penalty kill was flawless, killing off both Panthers power plays, while Greenfield stood tall with a .921 save percentage. Ultimately, it was captain Robert Dowd who delivered the decisive moment, sealing the extra point in overtime and lifting the Steelers to the top of the Elite League standings.
First Period (Steelers 0 – 1 Panthers)
The Steelers started the game on the front foot, feeding off the energy inside a packed Utilita Arena. Early chances fell the Steelers way, with Robert Dowd creating an opening from the right wing for Mitchell Balmas cutting hard to the crease, only for the puck to skip past the finishing touch. Moments later, Stephen Harper found Mitchell Heard in the high slot, but Carr reacted sharply to deny the backhand effort.
Sustained pressure followed through strong forechecking shifts, particularly from Derek Gentile and Evan Jasper, but it was the Panthers who struck first against the run of play. At 3:04, David Noel collected the puck near the right-wing circle and, despite being off balance, fired a shot that slipped through Greenfield’s five-hole to silence the crowd momentarily and give Nottingham a 1–0 lead.
The Steelers responded well, with the fourth line providing a spark as Kyle Watson set up Kevin Tansey at the near post, though Carr again stood firm. A controversial too-many-men call at 10:06 sent the Steelers to the penalty kill, where they showed real character. Ryan Tait and Sam Tremblay even threatened shorthanded, while Greenfield was alert to deny Ross Armour after Jack Dougherty lost his stick. The kill proved successful, and further late chances for both sides, including a wraparound attempt from Ollie Betteridge kept the game tight as the Panthers carried their narrow lead into the first intermission, outshooting Sheffield 11–9.
Second Period (Steelers 1 – 1 Panthers)
The Steelers came out for the second period with renewed urgency, immediately pinning the Panthers back in their zone. Stephen Harper had an early chance from the slot that drifted wide, while Kevin Tansey continued to set the physical tone with a thumping hit deep in Nottingham territory. Ryan Tait then drove down the right wing, cutting inside in search of space over Carr’s shoulder, but the Panthers netminder held his line well.
One of the period’s standout moments came from a slick passing move involving Mikko Juusola, Dominic Cormier and Dowd, only for Carr to slide across brilliantly to deny Dowd at the back post. At the other end, Zsombor Garat tested Greenfield with a drive to the net, but the Steelers’ goaltender remained composed at the top of his crease.
Another too-many-men penalty against Sheffield midway through the period threatened to stall their momentum, particularly after Dominic Cormier took an uncalled slash just beforehand. Despite visible frustration on the Steelers bench, the penalty kill delivered again, with Greenfield making key saves and smothering rebounds under pressure.
Persistence finally paid off late in the period. At 38:09, a beautifully worked passing sequence saw Reece Kelly feed Dowd down, who found Evan Jasper in stride. Jasper snapped a precise shot blocker-side past Carr to bring the arena to life and level the game at 1–1. The goal capped a strong period for Sheffield, who headed into the second break leading the shot count 22–19 and feeling back in control of proceedings.
Third Period & Overtime (Steelers 4 – 3 Panthers)
The third period began in frustrating fashion for the home side. Just over two minutes in, Panthers debutant Johnny Curran appeared to look for a cross-crease pass, but his mis-hit shot slid under Greenfield at the near post to restore Nottingham’s lead at 2–1. The goal briefly swung momentum back towards the visitors, who began to find their rhythm.
Sheffield, however, refused to be rattled. Mitchell Balmas came agonisingly close to equalising with space in the slot, firing high, before the breakthrough finally arrived at 48:00. Derek Gentile’s pass from the right wing threaded through traffic, allowing Sam Tremblay to finish confidently at the back post to tie the game at 2–2.
Just 36 seconds later, the Utilita Arena erupted again. Dowd drove hard around his marker and forced a save from Carr, but the rebound spilled into the crease where Mikko Juusola reacted quickest, burying the puck to give the Steelers their first lead of the night at 3–2. The Panthers pushed hard in response, peppering the Sheffield net as the clock wound down, and their pressure told at 56:53 when David Noel struck again, ripping a shot top corner from the high slot to make it 3–3.
With nothing to separate the sides after 60 minutes, the game headed to sudden-death overtime. After Carr denied Balmas up high, the decisive moment arrived at 61:12. From a standing start inside the blue line, Dowd burst from right wing to left circle and lifted a sublime backhand over Carr into the roof of the net, sparking wild celebrations and sealing a memorable 4–3 victory.
What’s Next
Man of the Match honours went to David Noel for the Panthers for his two-goal performance, while Dowd’s overtime winner ensured his name was etched into Steelers folklore once again. Sheffield now sit alone at the top of the Elite League standings and waste no time in returning to action, heading to Nottingham tomorrow night for the festive return fixture before welcoming the Manchester Storm to the Utilita Arena on Tuesday 30th December.
