Proud Simon set for Steelers talks

The Panthers went on to pip the Cardiff Devils in yesterday’s play-off final, edging a nine-goal thriller that almost matched the excitement of Saturday’s first semi-final in which a Robert Lachowicz overtime winner gave Corey Neilson’s side a 4-3 triumph over the Steelers at the National Ice Centre.

Nottingham’s second play-off title in four years handed them a double of their own, adding to the Challenge Cup they won last month.

But, unlike North America where play-off championships are regarded as the more important prize, in the UK it is the regular season league title that remains most coveted with the Steelers only edging out Cardiff and the Belfast Giants on the final day of the season.

The title triumph marked a stark turnaround for the club, who underwent a summer of upheaval before former owner Bob Phillips brought in rookie coach Simon, replacing Dave Matsos who had been among a number of key personnel to resign in protest at the ownership a few weeks earlier.

Phillips eventually relinquished control of the club in December, marking the arrival of Cardiff owner Paul Ragan as the new man at the helm. For many fans his main job over the next few days will be to ensure Simon returns next season with talks having so far failed to bring any agreement on a new deal.

Following Saturday’s defeat, Simon was quick to emphasise how much the Steelers had achieved following some difficult times.

“The players came in at the start of the season and didn’t let any of the off-ice stuff bother them,” said Simon.

“They came to the rink every day, smiled and worked hard and full credit to them. From where we were at the beginning of the season, I honestly feel we’ve had a great year. We emptied our tanks on Saturday against Nottingham, but it wasn’t quite good enough.”

On his own future, Simon said he would be happy to return and is set to hold talks with Ragan in the next few days.

“It would be fun to come back but it’s got to be under the right terms,” he added.

“I have a wife and two kids to think about and with the wage cap and everything, it’s tough being a player-coach. There is the dilemma that you can’t take too much of the pie, so to speak, and then not spend on your players.

“It’s not just about taking care of yourself, it’s about taking care of 17 other guys as well – it’s a tough balance, but hopefully we can sort something out.”

In a pulsating semi-final, the Steelers could not have hoped for a better start, finding themselves 2-0 up inside six minutes through Simon and Robert Dowd, who benefitted from some excellent work by Derek Campbell.

Panthers quickly halved the deficit through Marc Levers at 7.26 before David Beauregard punished some slack defending to level matters five minutes later.

A goalless second period followed, though, not surprisingly, the pace did not ease up in a typically intense confrontation.

Five minutes into the third, Simon was denied on a penalty shot, awarded after he was hauled back by Guillaume Lepine when clean through on goal. It proved costly three minutes later when Jeff Heerema put the Panthers ahead for the first time, although it was all-square at 49.26 when, on the powerplay, Simon tipped-in Rod Sarich’s shot.

Jason Hewitt and Ashley Tait had chances to put Steelers ahead again but there were no further goals until the second minute of overtime when Lachowicz pounced to punish a fumble by Ervins Mustukovs to back-hand the winner into the net and send the Panthers’ fans into raptures.

Cardiff breezed through their semi-final 4-1 against a tired-looking Belfast line-up, gaining revenge for last year’s defeat in the final, but their second successive appearance in the season’s finale was to again end in disappointment yesterday after the Panthers twice cancelled out a two-goal deficit before a 49th-minute strike from Beauregard sealed a thrilling 5-4 win.