Play-off hero Nelson '˜probably too stupid for his own good at times', hails Thompson

Levi Nelson raises the trophy above his head after Sheffield Steelers beat Cardiff Devils to win the Elite League play-off title (Picture: Dean Woolley).

The 28-year-old winger had pain-killing injection to get back out on the ice for the second period of overtime against Cardiff Devils on Sunday, before going on to score a stunning goal that sealed a thrilling 6-5 win at Nottingham’s National Ice Centre. But Thompson said it was a minor miracle the Canadian was even playing given the extent of his injury.

“Levi’s practically got ligaments hanging out of his knee and should have had an operation,” said Thompson.

“But he is as tough as they come that kid. He’s probably too stupid for his own good at times to realise how tough he is because he plays through the pain barrier.

“To go back on after taking a massive pain-killing injection at the start of the fifth – I said to him ‘Levi you can’t go on’ but he just turned around and said ‘I’m going’. Then he went and scored that fabulous winner – it is the stuff dreams are made of.”

As a result of the win, Steelers will compete in the Continental Cup in Europe in 2017-18.

Nottingham Panthers, the first British club to win the competition, qualify for next season’s Champions League.