Battling Sheffield Steelers taste defeat in overtime as Nottingham Panthers sneak win
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They were beaten 5-4 at the Arena in a game where they were 4-2 down with three minutes to go.
Sheffield took the game into overtime and deserve the single point, for determination and spirit alone.
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Hide AdFar more important is Sunday's match at Guildford Flames, where Barry Brust is expected to be back in goal.
Saturday's Challenge Cup round robin group, from which both sides had qualified, started predictably with Nottingham looking offensively strong.
Steelers had Andreas Valdix on the ice but out the picture were suspended pair Anthony DeLuca and Keaton Ellerby together with injured trio Brendan Connolly, Marco Vallerand and Tanner Eberle out, were under the cosh.
Jeremy Welsh hit Rok Stojanovic's post and Christophe Boivin kept finding gaps in the home defensive cover.
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Hide AdDespite that, it was Steelers who took the lead, with only their second, serious raid on goal.
An exciting solo skate through the middle from Jonathan Phillips created an opportuity for Alex Graham to tap home at 6:22.
But Nottingham were justifiably rewarded for their continuing pressure.
A J.C. Brassard effort rebounded off Stojanovic's pads to invite Welsh to level at 11:23.
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Hide AdSome 54 seconds later, Simon Suoranta skated ahead of Evan Mosey to claim Nottingham's go-ahead goal.
The home fans needed a pick-me-up and were off their seats when Adrian Saxrud Danielsen and Mathieu Tousignant had their own private war, the Steeler landing two stiff right hands before both men slipped to the pad.