The Sheffield Steelers returned to the house of steel on a Saturday night following a weekend in Scotland the previous weekend returning with 2 points out of a possible 4 (a 6-5 shootout win over the Edinburgh Capitals followed by a 4-0 loss against the Dundee Stars) The Nottingham Panthers were the opponents for the 3rd time this season but the 1st time in elite league action. The Panthers have lost there last 5 league game but were coming off a win in the challenge cup on Friday night which eliminated the Coventry Blaze. The Steelers would be at full strength with the returns of Zach Fitzgerald following a 2 game suspension and Andreas Valdix and Mike Ratchuk from injury while Yared Hagos would make his home debut.
Following a back and forth first 9 and a half minutes the Steelers would open the scoring through Robert Dowd on the power play with his 25th goal against the Panthers 2 goals away from all time leader Joey Talbot. 23 seconds the Steelers would double there lead through Colton Fretter and Mathieu Roy would make it 3-0 to end the 1st period. Davey Phillips and Jeff Brown would drop the gloves at the start of the 2nd period but the Panthers the blows would keep on coming as Fretter and Roy would both get there 2nd goals of the game and Ben O'Connor would get the Steelers 6th goal to end the 2nd period at 6-0. Another 3 goals would be scored in the final period with 4 minutes to go Jesse Schultz would make it 7-0 and Markus Nilsson would make it 8-0 however the moose would be denied his first shutout of the season as Brad Moran would score with less then 1 second to go to end the game at 8-1
My man of the match - Ervins Mustukovs - Unlucky not to get the shutout
On Sunday the Steelers returned to the Dundee ice arena to take on the Stars. a 4-4 draw after 65 minutes the Steelers would win the shoot out for a 4 point weekend.
Next week the Steelers have 2 home games. Facing top of the table Cardiff on Friday and Belfast on Sunday
