Sheffield Steelers 0-1 Nottingham Panthers

Both sides icing 9 imports (11 allowed), Sheffield play triallist Greg Owen (ex Bracknell) and add Sheffield Scimitars Les Millie, Neil Abel and Greg Wood.

The game was preceded by a minute silence for Tim Brimble, joint founder of the Sheffield Steelers Supporters Club who passed away in July at just 40 years of age.

After a 15 minute delay to admit a large walk-up attendance (4968), the Sheffield fans gave a mixed reception for ex-coach Mike Blaisdell and ex-captain Dion Darling on their return to Sheffield. Blaiser's charges then produced a classic "Sheffield" game, rarely looking like being beaten once they got their noses in front. But Martin Massa came close hitting the bar from the right wing after Sheffield lifted their goalie with 60 seconds remaining.

Despite being a single goal game, the home aside appeared to run out of steam after a hectic opening session. An equally frantic finale saw both sides call late timeouts with play around the Nottingham goal.

Panthers man of the match Dave Clarke took a cross-checking penalty just 37 seconds in, but only Martin Massa tested Cruickshank.

Carderelli was first to test Lehman some 7 minutes in, but when Dan Ceman took a holding penalty to stop a breakaway, Panthers made the most of the powerplay. A pass across the front gave Clarke an easy chance at the back post (Lehman's left) (9:59).

Greg Owen charged down the ice to force a stop soon after, but Panthers effectively took control for the rest of the period and the whole of the middle session too.

Dan Tessier and Blaz Emersic caused constant problems and Jeff Sebastian might have done better from 10 feet after Clarke outsmarted Stevie Duncombe down the right wing.

With 5 minutes left Calle Carlsson miscued a good chance and the rebound fell to Richard Wojciak, but Lehman made a great save to his left to stop a certain goal.

Steelers got more physical in the final period, Paul Sample nailing Carlsson on the boards and the sides swapped punches for fighting minors a-piece. Carlsson took no further part in the game and there was a delay for the ice to be cleaned.

Dan Ceman and Martin Massa both went close for the home side, but Panthers had their chances too and deserved to hang on for the win.