4 Without Reply for the Steelers
The Sheffield Steelers produced a superb comeback to beat arch-rivals Nottingham Panthers 4-2 at the Utilita Arena on Saturday night.
Aaron Fox’s side trailed 2-0 after Chase Pearson struck twice for the visitors, but Brien Diffley gave Sheffield hope late in the second period before Adam Rockwood levelled early in the third.
Ryan Tait then put the Steelers ahead for the first time before Sean Collins sealed the victory into the empty net with 51 seconds remaining.
It was also a welcome milestone for Sheffield, securing their first home regulation victory over Nottingham in 11 attempts, with Rockwood named Steelers Man of the Match.
First Period – Panthers Strike First
The first Elite League meeting of the season between the two rivals started with plenty of intensity.
Sheffield created the early pressure, with Aatu Aarnio and Adam Rockwood both testing the Nottingham defence, before Leevi Teissala and Max Grondin became involved in a confrontation in front of the benches.
Both were assessed roughing minors at 9:33.
Matt Greenfield was then called upon to make a series of important saves as Nottingham began to create chances of their own.
The breakthrough came with 2:08 remaining in the period.
Zach O’Brien broke down the boards before finding Chase Pearson, who fired high past Greenfield to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead at 17:52.
Sheffield were handed their first power play when Jordan Kelsall was called for holding late in the period, but Kai Edmonds stood firm in the Nottingham goal.
Steelers 0-1 Panthers
Second Period – Diffley Starts the Fightback
The Steelers began the second period still on the power play and welcomed Mitchell Balmas back into the line-up, with the forward looking sharp on his return.
Sheffield continued to press, but Nottingham struck again after Teissala was called for slashing.
On the resulting power play, Zach O’Brien fired low and Pearson redirected the puck home for his second of the night at 26:08, with Tim Doherty also collecting an assist.
At 2-0 down, the Steelers needed a response.
Greenfield was later called for tripping, but Sheffield’s penalty kill did its job and prevented Nottingham from extending the advantage.
Balmas then helped drive the Steelers forward as the home side began spending increasing amounts of time in the Panthers zone.
The pressure finally paid off at 38:21.
Brien Diffley stepped into space and fired through traffic, beating an unsighted Edmonds to make it 2-1.
Tim Gettinger and Mikko Juusola collected the assists as the Steelers gave themselves a lifeline heading into the final period.
Steelers 1-2 Panthers
Third Period – Steelers Turn the Game Around
Sheffield came out flying in the third.
Ivan Björkly-Nordström went close before Panthers forward Ben Corbeil was called for tripping at 46:19.
The Steelers needed just 30 seconds to make the power play count.
Excellent work from Balmas created the opening before Adam Rockwood arrived at the back door and fired home at 46:49 to level the game at 2-2. Olivier Archambault also picked up an assist.
The goal lifted both the team and the Arena.
Sheffield immediately found another gear, with Teissala going close before Archambault forced a turnover at centre ice and threatened on the break.
The Steelers were then handed another power play when Joe Hazeldine fired the puck directly over the glass.
This time Sheffield struck again.
At 49:03, Ryan Tait reacted quickest to a loose puck in front and fired home to give the Steelers their first lead of the night.
Rockwood and Archambault provided the assists as Sheffield turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 advantage in less than three minutes.
Nottingham were given an opportunity to respond when Dominic Cormier was called for tripping at 52:17, but the Steelers penalty kill once again stood firm.
With time running out, Panthers coach Danny Stewart called a timeout and withdrew Edmonds for an extra attacker.
But Sheffield made sure of the points.
Tim Gettinger broke down the boards and found Sean Collins, who fired into the empty net at 59:09 to complete a memorable 4-2 comeback victory.
A Big Rivalry Win
The Steelers outshot Nottingham 35-21 across the night and dominated the final period 16-6, scoring three unanswered goals to turn the game around.
Rockwood’s goal and assist earned him the Steelers Man of the Match award, while Tait once again delivered a decisive goal against the Panthers.
After falling two goals behind, Sheffield showed patience, resilience and quality when it mattered most.
Final Score
Sheffield Steelers 4-2 Nottingham Panthers
Steelers scorers:
Brien Diffley
Adam Rockwood PP
Ryan Tait PP
Sean Collins EN
Panthers:
Chase Pearson x2
Shots: Steelers 35-21 Panthers
Attendance: 8,204