Steelers’ run ended by rivals Panthers

In front of a bumper crowd at the Motorpoint Arena, Mike Ramsay gave the home side the lead at 12.32 but the scores were level by the end of the first thanks to a 15th-minute strike from Panthers’ Brock Wilson.

While Francis Trudel was in the box on a hooking call, the visitors went ahead on the powerplay through Jordan Fox less than two minutes into the second.

At 24.07 it got worse for the Steelers when Guillaume Lepine made it 3-1.

Jeff Legue then missed a penalty shot for the Steelers in the 28th minute, before Jason Hewitt made it a one-goal game at 35.33.

But a 44th-minute goal from Robert Lachowicz saw Panthers stretch their lead again and although Hewitt again pulled Steelers back to within with over 11 minutes left on the clock, that was as close as they got.

With less than a minute remaining, Jeff Heerema secured both points for Nottingham bringing an end to Steelers’ 11-game unbeaten run.

While Steelers head to Nottingham today (4pm), Hull Stingrays go to Coventry Blaze tonight for the first of three league games in as many days over the festive period.

Coventry visit Hull tomorrow night (7.30pm) before Nottingham also pay a visit on Thursday (7.30pm).