Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers pulled off a remarkable third-period comeback to edge the Nottingham Panthers 4-3 in overtime, capping off an exciting clash at the Utilita Arena. Despite trailing 3-1 heading into the final period, the Steelers rallied late, forcing overtime and securing a dramatic victory.
In the first period, the Panthers took a deserved 1-0 lead despite being outshot 9-8. Steelers’ goaltender Matthew Greenfield was called upon early, making key saves, but Kristoff Kontos set up a goal that gave the Panthers an edge at 14:02. The Steelers, however, struggled to capitalize on a powerplay opportunity and ended the period with penalties that put them on the back foot.
The second period saw the Panthers extend their lead early, as Matt Alfaro made it 2-0 at 21:28. The Steelers responded quickly, with Daniel Leavens scoring less than a minute later to cut the deficit to 2-1. Sheffield dominated much of the period but couldn’t find the equalizer, and Alfaro’s second goal at 29:42 restored Nottingham’s two-goal cushion. Despite powerplay chances, the Steelers trailed 3-1 going into the third.
The final period belonged to Sheffield. Leavens netted his second goal of the night at 46:51, closing the gap to 3-2. The Steelers continued to press, and Kevin Tansey finally tied the game with a long-range shot that beat Stojanovic, sending the game to overtime.
In overtime, Daniel Ciampini’s brilliant puck-handling set up Robert Dowd, who scored the game-winning goal, giving the Steelers a hard-fought 4-3 victory.
Sheffield now looks ahead to a busy schedule, with a road trip to Dundee and a Champions Hockey League matchup against ZSC Lions Zurich on the horizon.
First Period [0-1] – Panthers Edge First Period Against Steelers in Tight Contest
Despite leading the shot tally 9-8, it was the Nottingham Panthers who had the upper hand in the opening period, taking a deserved 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Steelers’ netminder Matthew Greenfield was tested early, having to make key stops with his right pad on consecutive chances for the Panthers. The game’s opening stages were highlighted by a standout shift from the Steelers’ fourth line, led by rotating center Patrick Watling, who managed to trouble Panthers goalie Rok Stojanovic for the first time in the contest.
Controversy soon followed as the Steelers thought they were about to take the lead when a loose puck bobbled dangerously in front of Stojanovic. However, a quick reaction from a Panthers defenseman cleared the puck with his hand just before it crossed the goal line.
Reid Stefanson nearly capitalized on the chaos, finding himself in front of the Panthers’ net with a backhanded opportunity, but he was unable to generate enough power to beat Stojanovic. The Steelers then caught a lucky break when Panthers forward Otto Nieminen’s stick snapped at a crucial moment, preventing him from converting a close-range chance right in front of Greenfield.
However, the Steelers’ fortune ran out at 14:02. Panthers’ relentless offensive pressure paid off when Kristoff Kontos set up a goal from the right-wing circle, finding the stick of a streaking forward who fired one past Greenfield, beating him high over the catcher as he moved across the goal line. Zsombor Garát, making his debut for the Panthers, picked up the secondary assist on the play.
The Steelers were handed their first powerplay of the evening shortly after, as Garát was sent to the penalty box for a high cross-check on Marco Vallerand. Despite the opportunity, the Steelers struggled to set up any meaningful pressure in the Panthers’ zone and failed to capitalize.
The period ended on a tough note for Sheffield, as penalties to Shudra for unsportsmanlike conduct and Mark Simpson for cross-checking left the Steelers starting the second period with a two-man disadvantage. The Panthers will look to build on their momentum as they head into the next 20 minutes with both a lead and a man advantage.
Second Period [1-3] – Panthers Hold Off Steelers’ Comeback Push to Maintain Two-Goal Cushion
After doubling their lead early in the second period, the Nottingham Panthers withstood heavy pressure from the Sheffield Steelers to maintain control, restoring their two-goal advantage and heading into the final frame with a 3-1 lead.
The Panthers struck just after the Steelers successfully killed a 5-on-3 penalty, but with Mark Simpson still in the box, Matt Alfaro found the back of the net. Alfaro beat Matt Greenfield above his left pad while on the move, taking advantage of assists from Kristoff Kontos and Hugo Roy at 21:28, extending Nottingham’s lead to 2-0.
The Steelers responded almost immediately, hitting back less than a minute later. Daniel Leavens capitalized on a deflected shot from captain Robert Dowd, rushing the crease and tucking the puck into an empty net with Panthers netminder Rok Stojanovic caught out of position. Mikko Juusola was also credited with an assist on the goal, which came at 22:31.
Sheffield then dominated much of the second period, applying relentless pressure in the Panthers’ defensive zone. Brien Diffley, Mitchell Balmas, and Patrick Watling all had prime scoring chances but found themselves too close to Stojanovic, struggling to lift the puck past the towering goaltender.
However, against the run of play, the Panthers restored their two-goal lead at 29:42. A deflected shot from Kristoff Kontos fell perfectly for Matt Alfaro, who skated into the slot and ripped a one-timer past Greenfield, again beating him over the left pad for his second goal of the night.
Despite facing back-to-back penalties for delay of game and charging, Nottingham held firm. The Steelers continued to pressure in the offensive zone but were unable to find the finishing touch, allowing the Panthers to take a 3-1 lead into the third period.
With Sheffield pushing hard, the final 20 minutes will be crucial as they look to stage a comeback.
Third Period & Overtime [4-3 (OT)] – Steelers Rally Late to Force Overtime, Edge Panthers 4-3 in Thrilling Finish
The Sheffield Steelers staged a dramatic third-period comeback, overcoming a two-goal deficit to force overtime before securing a 4-3 victory against the Nottingham Panthers. Despite being heavily outshot, Panthers goaltender Rok Stojanovic stood tall, facing 45 shots throughout the night, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a late Steelers surge.
The Steelers found themselves back in the game at 46:51 when Daniel Leavens scored his second goal of the night. Leavens and Mitchell Balmas broke away on a two-on-one rush, with Balmas feeding Leavens, who crashed the back post and lifted the puck over a sprawling Stojanovic. Sacha Guimond picked up the secondary assist, setting up the play by sending Balmas down the ice.
The Panthers, visibly tiring, compounded their problems with back-to-back minors for hooking and high-sticking, giving Sheffield further opportunities to pile on the pressure. However, Nottingham’s penalty kill unit stepped up, successfully neutralizing both penalties and keeping their slim lead intact.
But with the Steelers in control, an equalizer seemed inevitable, and it was Kevin Tansey who delivered. Tansey, who had been a dominant force throughout the final period, finally found the back of the net. Mark Simpson set him up with a perfect pass, and Tansey threaded a shot from the blue line through traffic, beating Stojanovic to make it 3-3 and sending the game into sudden death overtime.
In overtime, the Steelers wasted no time seizing the opportunity. Daniel Ciampini dazzled with some slick puck-handling, weaving through the Panthers’ defense before circling behind the net and threading a perfect pass to the “golden child” Robert Dowd. Dowd coolly slotted the puck into the open net as Stojanovic struggled to get across the crease, sealing the 4-3 win for Sheffield.
The victory gave the Steelers a vital boost as they prepare for a busy stretch on the road. They travel to Dundee tomorrow for a league clash against the Stars before heading to Switzerland for a Champions Hockey League showdown with ZSC Lions Zurich. Their next home game is on Wednesday, October 16, when they host Dynamo Pardubice in more CHL action.
