Steelers let it slip before finally downing Panthers

But the team did it the hard way after throwing away an early two-goal lead before Thomas pounced a minute into over-time to secure a 3-2 win. It was the first victory in four attempts over their arch-rivals this season.

Relieved coach Ryan Finnerty said: “There is so much pressure on us to win these games so it is a real relief to finally get that win – it will give us a lot of confidence. We started well and took the early lead and they came back at us but we battled hard and it finally went our way.”

Steelers made a fine start to the game when Ashley Tait gave them the lead in just 48 seconds. He doubled the advantage nine minutes later when, with Steelers’ coach Finnerty in the penalty box, he fired into the roof of the net.

But all the hard work came undone in the first three minutes of the second session when Jordan Fox pulled one back for Panthers and then Danny Meyers levelled matters.

Tensions boiled over with Sheffield’s Matt Stephenson, Jason Hewitt and RG Flath exchanging blows with Steve Lee, Matt Francis and Fox.

Just a minute into extra time, the puck fell to Thomas who unleashed a slapshot to seal Steelers’ win.

On Saturday, the Steelers had eased to a 4-2 victory at Braehead Clan, with stand-in captain Jeff Legue the star performer with a second period hat-trick. Finnerty had given the visitors a 1-0 lead on the powerplay at 20.33 before the impressive Legue asserted himself.

Mike Bayrack struck two goals in the last seven minutes but the damage had already been done.

Hull Stingrays broke a seven-game winless streak by beating Fife Flyers 3-2 last night.

Stingrays bossed the first period, defiant goaltender Garrett Zemlak finally beaten when Dominic Osman fired the home side ahead in the 29th minute.

Dmitry Rodin – back in the line-up in place of Frantisek Bakrlik – was forced out of the game with a knee problem and Fife levelled shortly afterwards through Matt Siddall but two quickfire markers from Jason Silverthorn (powerplay) and Jereme Tendler gave Stingrays a two-goal cushion.

Danny Stewart (powerplay) grabbed a goal back for Flyers but despite pulling Zemlak, they could not force overtime.

Sylvain Cloutier’s team had seen their poor run extended in Scotland on Saturday night when they went down 3-1 against Edinburgh Capitals.

In the English Premier League, Sheffield Steeldogs enjoyed another productive weekend, taking three points from their two games to leave them third in the table.

Andre Payette’s team im[pressed during a 4-1 victory over Milton Keynes at home on Saturday night, but had to settle for just a point 24 hours later after going down 2-1 after a penalty shoot-out at Bracknell Bees.