Panthers take the extra point in Penalty Shot Victory
Steelers failed to close the gap even closer on league leading Belfast as they went down to a penalty shot defeat to the Nottingham Panthers
With the Giants going down at home to Dundee Stars (3-2) it was a chance to narrow the gap even closer but the home side came through after a 3rd period tying goal was followed with three straight penalty shot goals, only Mikko Juusola converted for the Steelers.
Steelers had led 1-0 after the opening period (Dowd), a scoreless middle period followed before the Panthers tied the game through Tim Doherty midway through the final period.
Finlay Ulrick replaced Reece Kelly in the line up, still no Kevin Tansey, Greenfield starts with Warburton backs up.
Period 1 …
Vallerand with the first big chance, the puck found him in front of Grande’s goal but he couldn’t handle the puck and the chance slipped away.
03.22 Panthers penalty, Garat sits for 2 minutes for holding the stick
Simpson forces a save from Grande, moments later Vallerand hits the post.
05.02 Dowdy open the scoring at the far post after an inch perfect feed from Daniel Leavens
Juusola with a great chance, he holds on to the puck and gets a shot away, Grande saves.
Watling sets up Juusola but this time Mikko fails to get the shot away
Saucerman with a hard shot, Dowd with the tip and Grande got his glove to it
Outstanding Watling on the boards digs the puck out for Juusola and he finds Balmas who forces another save
Greenfield at the other end continuing to make the saves when called upon, Roy goes close
Final chance of the period falls to Ciampini, Cormier down the wing and makes the pass, Ciampini reaches out but can’t get enough stick to deflect towards the goal
End of the Period: Panthers 0-1 Steelers
Period 2 …
Colton Saucerman with the first effort of the middle period, the puck bounces and Grande makes the save
22.15 Huttula to the box for high sticks, Panthers on the power-play
Some huge stops from Greenfield, he makes a couple of blinders to retain the Steelers lead
Greenfield again, this time with the blocker, outstanding
Vallerand with our best effort of the period, he fakes, he shoots and Grande makes the top
33.16 Steelers back on the power-play, Alfaro sent to the box for tripping
Henbrant short handed puts the jets on, Greenfield covers him and denies
Roy breakaway, as the Panthers tilt the ice, Greenfield again with the blocker save
39.25 with the period drawing to an end Dowdy takes 2 for slashing, power play time for the Panthers
Period ends: Panthers 0-1 Steelers
Period 3 …
Panthers started on the power-play though it was Brandon Whistle who forced the first save of the period after stealing the puck at centre ice and skating alone.
Watling breaks away, somehow Grande gets across to kick the puck away
Mark Simpson next but the puck won’t sit down for him
Moments after the TV time out the Panthers win an offensive zone face off, Tetlows shot is saved but Doherty follows up and ties the game on the rebound at 48.49
50.49 and Watling to the penalty box for high sticks, its all Nottingham on the power-play other than a Vallerand short handed effort.
55.13 and Ciampini called for slashing, this time the kill is excellent lim sting the Panthers scoring chances
Juusola goes close shorthanded, he wins a foot race and gets a shot away
Cormier high glove with 90 seconds remaining
Overtime …
Panthers dominate the opening 2 minutes of 3 on 3 play
Vallerand and Dowd on a 2 on 1 with Vallerand shooting, big save Grande
Into the final minute and Balmas skates through the Panthers and hits the post
Penalty Shots …
Vallerand first for the Steelers but he was denied, Kontos then goes down and scores, it’s 1-0 Panthers.
Balmas next and he pulls a move that beats Grande but he can’t get his stick to the lose puck for the backhand finish. Doherty beats Greenfield at the other end for 2-0
Juusola goes top shelf and beats Grande for 2-1, but moments later Zech made it 3 on the bounce
That meant Patrick Watling had to score, he made his move but his shot found the glove of Grande
It was all over … Panthers take the extra point
Panthers 2-1 Steelers