'You could see it coming' - Sheffield Steelers produce stirring comeback against Nottingham Panthers

With almost two periods gone in their Elite league clash against their arch-rivals in front of an 8,000-plus crowd at the Utilita Arena, things looked bleak for the Steelers as they trailed 2-0 through goals either side of the first intermission from Chase Pearson.

But a Brien Diffley strike through traffic with 99 seconds of the middle period remaining handed the Steelers a lifeline they made the most of when they returned for the third period.

In the 47th minute, the Steelers pulled themselves level 30 seconds into a power play when slick passing from Mitchell Balmas to Olivier Archambault saw the puck moved with speed to Adam Rockwood who swept home at the back post.

A delay of game call on Panthers’ Joe Hazeldine quickly handed the Steelers another power play opportunity, one they took advantage of when Archambault fed Ryan Tait in front, from where he redirected the puck past Kai Edmonds from close range with 49.03 on the clock.

As the Panthers chased the game, a face-off win by Brandon Whistle saw Sean Collins and Tim Gettinger exchange passes before the former was free to steer the puck home into the empty net with 51 seconds remaining for a 4-2 win.

“I actually thought our first 10 minutes were really, really good and we were pretty unlucky not to have anything to show for it.,” said Fox.

“They got that first goal and got a little bit of life, but I still liked our game.

“There were maybe seven minutes in the second where we gave up too much in transition and that second goal sucks a little bit of life out of the building, but I still liked the vibes on our bench.

“You could tell the guys felt like they were the better team and that they would come good.

“In the third I really felt like we tilted the ice downhill. We were the better team and you could sense what was coming.”