Steelers denied by dramatic overtime strike

Robert Lachowicz scored the crucial game-winning goal, capitalising on a rebound from Steelers’ netminder Ervins Mustukovs in the second minute of the added-on period.

Prior to that, Steelers had surged into a two-goal lead after coming out of the blocks flying, going ahead through player-coach Ben Simon who fired gome from eight yards out after Neil Clark had seen two efforts blocked.

It became 2-0 in the sixth minute when excellent work by Derek Campbell teed up Robert Dowd, whose shot squeezed under the right pad of Craig Kowalski in the Panthers goal.

But, in what was proving an open game - as many had forecast ahead of the weekend - Panthers quickly halved the deficit just over two minutes later when the puck broke loose in front of the Steelers’ goal where Marc Levers was unattended to backhand past Mustukovs.

It was all-square in the 13th minute when poor defensive work from the Steelers saw the puck fall to David Beauregard, who fired past Rod Sarich and into the top right-hand corner.

Chances continued to be created on a regular basis at both ends during a scoreless second period, with the Steelers’ clearest opportunity falling to Simon and Joe Talbot, but neither could get enough stick on the puck to force it home.

Simon failed to convert a penalty shot opportunity after he was impeded by Guillaume Lepine in front of the Panthers goal in the 46th minute, but a breakthrough wasn’t long coming when Jeff Heerema fired high past Mustukov’s left to hand the Challenge Cup winners the lead for the first time in the game at 48.38.

Typically, however, in a game that was often end-to-end, there was soon plenty to celebrate for the Steelers when a powerplay chance was finally taken, Simon grabbing his second by tipping in Sarich’s shot from the blue line.

Jason Hewitt and Ashley Tait had good chances to put Steelers ahead again, while Lachowicz missed a clear chance at the other end before the end of regulation play.

But the 21-year-old British prospect made sure he found the net when his next opportunity came along, pouncing on a rebound from Mustukovs to fire into the empty net to break Steelers’ hearts and ensure Nottingham’s own dream of the double continued.

In the other semi-final, the Cardiff Devils - pipped to the regular season league title by the Steelers - eased past a tired-looking Belfast Giants 4-1.

A goal from Tyler Michel at 7.51 put the Giants ahead following a mistake by Dan Welch. Then with the Giants on the powerplay, Max Birbraer got a second goal short-handed at 13.18.

The Devils took a three-goal lead with a powerplay goal from former Steelers’ favourite Ryan Finnerty at 32.48, but the Giants gave themselves hope with a powerplay strike of their own from Michael Jacobsen less than three minutes later.

But, despite out shooting the Devils in the third period. Stuart Macrae put the game to bed as he netted the Devils fourth goal at 54.18.