A brace for Balmas with strikes from Dowd and Harper – McAdam Outstanding
Steelers back in action on Sunday afternoon in Nottingham less than 24 hours after the 4-2 home defeat on Saturday evening.
Steelers without Greenfield, Huttula and Watling (all injured). Cole Shudra returns and Liam Steel keeps his place after making his debut last night.
Gutsy and excellent performance from the Steelers who weathered the opening 10 minutes and then were the better team.
Huge penalty kill in the 3rd as the Panthers had a 5 on 3 PP, McAdam outstanding all night.
First Period …
A period two halves with Nottingham dominating the opening 10 minutes and Steelers right back in it for the final 10.
00.34 and an early Panthers PP with Dougherty called for tripping
McAdam makes several top quality saves as the Panthers pepper the Steelers net on the one man advantage.
Tansey with the Steelers first shot, closely followed by a great chance for Balmas
08.30 and the Panthers lead 1-0
Henbrant with great speed as he gets around Tansey and then shoots low past McAdam for the opening goal of the night.
Dowd combines well with Tansey but Kevin’s shot is saved by Carr
13.13 and Steelers time on the power play as Armour gets called for hooking
Balmas with a chance as he steps inside and shoots.
Harris thinks he has scored short handed, the referee’s review but the puck hasn’t crossed the line
Steelers turn to think they have scored, an individual effort by Harper but the officials bring the play back and call the Panthers for too many men at 17.12
17.28 and Mitchell Balmas with time and space picks the top corner and beats Carr over his glove to tie the game 1-1
Panthers break 2 on 1 and Tansey outstanding in forcing the play
End of the First Period
Panthers 1-1 Steelers
Second Period
Early Panthers pressure with Volcan denied by McAdam
What a save by Carr as Juusola finds Balmas, somehow the glove is raised to make the save.
26.02 and Steelers lead, face off win by Dowd who gets a shot through and Carr can’t stop it, we lead 2-1
Harper down the right wing and fires a shot off Carr’s shoulder
Fossier at the other end, he stick handles through and McAdam gets his body in the way to make the save
30.34 and Doherty sits out 2 for hooking, Steelers power-play
Pearson short handed chance, Steelers come back in numbers to defend
31.34 and Steelers double our lead, Ritchie makes the play to Jussola and the puck land on Harpers stick who finds the back of the net.
36.43 Liam Steele takes his first Steelers penalty as he fires the puck over the glass for a delay the game penalty
37.04 Panthers take advantage on the power-play, Doherty with a blast that McAdam can do nothing about
End of the middle period
Panthers 2-3 Steelers
Third Period
Tait with the early chance and Carr again making the save.
Ivan to Cole and the 4th line almost on the score sheet as Carr gets a toe to it
44.36 Heard to the box for high sticks
45.58 Southorn with a great block but he also takes a penalty for tripping and the Panthers with a lengthy 5 on 3
Outstanding penalty killing from the Steelers with McAdam leading the way
2 minutes later we are back to full strength
Jasper close but the puck caught up in his skates, Jasper feeds Tansey out the puck bounces over his stick
Ritchie wins a penalty shot but then fails to convert as the puck runs off his stick
Panthers pushing, Marcinew close off a feed from Fossier.
With a minute left Mikko breaks away and hits the side netting
Carr pulled to the bench and as the Panthers push again Balmas takes control of the puck and finds the empty net
Final score: Panthers 2-4 Steelers