Steelers set for Panthers showdown

SHEFFIELD Steelers set up a tantalising play-off semi-final against arch-rivals Nottingham Panthers after overcoming a second leg scare in the quarter-finals against the Dundee Stars.

Leading 6-1 from the first leg, the Steelers were expected to coast through to the Elite League’s final four weekend at Nottingham’s NIC. But they were given a slight jlt on Tayside after Dan Ceman’s determined outfit took a 4-1 lead with 10 minutes still on the clock.

Player-coach Ben Simon called a timeout after Sam McCluskey’s 50th-minute strike made it 7-5 on aggregate and seasoned campaigner Ashley Tait settled any nerves there may have been when he scored an empty-netter with 23 seconds remaining.

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That and a 25th-minute strike from Robert Dowd bookended goals for Dundee from Mark Nebus (2), John Dolan and McCluskey.

Nottingham booked their spot on home ice next weekend after coming through a tricky double-header against the Braehead Clan 8-4 on aggregate.

Hull Stingrays are still in with a shout of causing a major upset after going down 2-1 at home to the Cardiff Devils in the first of their two-legged quarter-final at Hull Arena.

Sylvain Cloutier’s gritty team were more than match for the regular season runners-up and could have counted themselves unlucky not to have gone down to Cardiff ahead, or at the very least tied.

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Sunday night’s second meeting will still be weighted very much in favour of Gerad Adams’s team, but Hull will go into the game full of confidence after a stirring performance in front of their home fans.

Tyler Michel was on hand to put the visitors ahead at 3.07 with a short-handed effort, but Cloutier found the net at 26.25 to bring his side level.

A well-worked goal from Brad Voth at 29.34 handed the Devils a one-goal advantage again which, despite numerous efforts from the home sie, they hung on to until the final hooter.

The winners of the tie will face the winners of the remaining quarter-final between Coventry Blaze and the Belfast Giants, who drew 2-2 in their first leg in Northern Ireland on Saturday.