Sheffield Steelers 3OT2 Nottingham Panthers

Jeff Christian snatched a dramatic victory for the home side with just 19 seconds left of overtime and Panthers were left to rue their failure to capitalise on their powerplays. The sides meet again in Nottingham on Boxing Day.

Afterwards home coach Rob Stewart stated he was unhappy that his players twice took 10 minute misconducts for comments to the ref. They must be more disciplined in the return game.

With 5,551 watching this big local derby, Ice Hockey UK agreed to let ticket holders catch the final GB U20 game next door at iceSheffield for half price. Both sides were missing players as a result, Panthers Geoff Woolhouse joining Steelers Davey Lawrence, Simon Butterworth and Stevie Duncombe across the car park. Panthers were also missing mumps victim John Craighead.

Christian waltzed round a despairing challenge to go in close on Curtis Cruickshank after Carlsson had flashed a shot across the front at the other end (64:41) after Panthers had scored a late leveller to force the extra session when Scott Ricci's right wing shot deflected past Jayme Platt with 2 minutes reamining (58:04).

Panthers started strongly as Kim Ahlroos threaded a pass from the right wing to the back post but Jayme Platt blanked David Clarke. Steelers raced away to the Nottingham end and the puck popped up for Erik Anderson to fire home (1:09).

A minute later a long pass released Konstantin Kalmikov in alone, but his shot came back off Platt's left post with the goalie beaten. Panthers equalised within a minute as NHLer Steve McKenna was given time and space to net high across Platt from the left (2:52).

Curtis Cruickshank pulled a fine pad save when Dave Cousineau arrived and hit a first-timer from the right, then Platt was thankful when Ron Shudra fished the puck out of the goal crease after an Ahlroos shot looked to have squeaked through his pads. A sweet passing move found McKenna low on the left but his backhanded pass was swept away.

With the ref seeming intent on keeping his whistle in his pocket, Jeff Christian's objections earned the Steelers a 10 minute misconduct (7:31). Four minutes later Ben Bliss was blanked at close range and Gavin Farrand couldn't quite reach the loose puck.

As the sides skated 4-on-4, Kim Ahlroos was blanked from 8 feet and the opening period ended with Cruickshank blanking Cousineau's left point shot despite being unsighted.

Nottingham started the second period the stronger and Panthers top line of Kalmikov-Ivan-McKenna continued to cause problems for the home defence. Platt had to make a double-save following a face-off on the right before the home defence cleared the danger.

Mike Peron was sitting a cross-checking minor when Cruickshank froze a high Daryl Andrews shot and Christian arrived late and shoved the goalie with his stick for a 4 minute accidental high sticks penalty. Panthers kept their cool for 61 seconds of 5-on-3 advantage but Platt only had one save to make, after Clarke redirected Scott Ricci's pass to the near post. Platt made just one more save in the following 3 minutes of 5-on-4.

Mark Dutiaume's left wing shot went straight through Cruickshank (40:59) with Jeff Christian providing the distraction. Ivan was blanked twice by Platt and a couple of minutes later Platt froze the puck with Calle Carlsson and Matt Myers at his right post.

The game started to get very physical with home captain Dion Darling taking an elbows minor (48:42). As Nottingham camped around the Steelers' net, sticks started flying from players hands on both sides. When Platt lost his stick, there was mayhem in the Sheffield net as Carlsson fired wide from 12 feet and Platt stacked his pads at his right post. Eventually play was whistled down and Steve McKenna took a cross-checking penalty with Peron prone on the ice with a facial cut (50:56).

Peron returned later in the game wearing #15, his usual #13 being covered in blood and large dressing across his chin. Then play had to be stopped with Ahlroos prone on the ice at his own blue line and Darling was assessed a 2+10 for checking to the head (51:18).

Platt made just one save on the penalty kill, but soon after Peron took a slashing penalty mid-ice and Panthers powerplay came up with the goods at last, Ivan getting that vital deflection (58:04).

Steve McKenna got away down the left seconds into overtime, drew the netminder and sped round behind but nobody could reach his quick pass out front. David Clarke got away soon after but fired wide, whilst at the other end Mark Dutiaume forced two saves.

A frantic final minute ended when Christian scored that late, late winner, though Mike Peron earned himself a 10 minute misconduct after the goal.