The Sheffield Steelers went into this weekends double header against the Nottingham Panthers looking to bounce back from a controversial defeat at Cardiff and with the same referee in charge at the National Ice Centre on Saturday night more controversy would follow as with the Steelers leading 4-3 in the 3rd period Dan Spang looked to have equalized for the Panthers however the chin strap on his helmet was undone resulting in his goal being wiped off and a 2 minute penalty for use of illegal equipment. The Steelers would go on to win 5-4. The following night both teams would meet again at the Sheffield Arena. With Steelers captain Jonathan Phillips testimonial game taking place this Tuesday a host of ex Steelers players were in attendance for the game including (pictured from left to right) Joey Talbot, Jeff Legue, Rod Sarich, Geoff Woolhouse, Mark Thomas and Steve Munn. Just 1 minute and 42 seconds into the game Robert Dowd would open the scoring for the Steelers for his 26th goal against the Panthers now 1 goal away from equalling Talbot's record. Following a rough game in Nottingham tensions boiled over to this game as Anders Franzon and Jeff Brown would drop the gloves both men getting 5 minute fighting penalties however Brown would get an extra 2 minutes in the box for cross checking and on that powerplay the Steelers would double there lead through Levi Nelson. The Steelers dominated the game with some brilliant hockey and the Steelers 3rd goal would come from an unlikely source, Davey Phillips with a one timer blast into the top right corner as the 1st period would end 3-0. The Steelers continued to dominate as Levi Nelson and Mike Ratchuk would make it 5-0 at the halfway point of the game. The Panthers would get on the scoreboard as Logan Macmillan would give the Panthers fans who bothered to show up something to cheer about and the Steelers fans gave a sarcastic cheer aswell. There would be only 1 goal in the final period as Mike Ratchuk would get his 2nd goal of the game to cap off a fantastic weekend for the Steelers with the final score Steelers 6 Panthers 1
My man of the match - Mike Ratchuk - 2 goals, the man of the match award and an Eddy (The man of the match lap of honour named after former Steeler Cullen Eddy who created the tradition) that no one will forget anytime soon
Next up - An away double against Belfast and Cardiff next weekend before a midweek game at IceSheffield against Dundee
