Sheffield Steelers 1-1 Nottingham Panthers

Sheffield missing Stevie Duncombe, Nottingham missing James O'Neill and David Clarke.

5471 saw the sides repeat their 1-1 draw of 3 weeks ago which did neither side any favours as they seek to join Newcastle at the play off finals in two weeks' time. The result means that despite 3 victories in Nottingham, Sheffield have not beaten their biggest rivals at home all season, posting 2 draws and 3 defeats.

Matt Myers grabbed a short-handed opener after Jody Lehman and Stefan Sjogren between them gifted the Panthers forward the chance. Martin Masa tied the game, forcing home a rebound from Rod Sarich's backhanded shot from the right.

Kent Simpson broke free with just over 2 minutes remaining but could only find Curtis Cruickshank's blocker, whilst Nottingham pressed hard but couldn't make their possession count.

A lot of huff and puff in this one but few quality chances.

With Paul Sample sitting the first penalty of the game a slick passing move found Shawn Sutter low on the right and Lehman did extremely well to get across and pad the shot away. Another good save from Calle Carlsson followed before Sheffield returned to full strength.

With both sides shooting from distance, Blaz Emersic arrived close-in but could only deflect the driven pass wide.

Sjogren did well to get back and block Myers right wing shot and when Myers took a hooking penalty, Sjogren fired three big shots in from the right but Panthers held out.

Back at full strength, Rod Sarich skated through but Crucikshank made the save.

Early in the second period Sutter's shot bounced up off Lehman but wide. At the other end, Masa couldn't convert a great chance on the doorstep. Peron forced a save and the puck fell to Masa low on the right, but his shot passed behind the goalie and across the face of goal.

With Brandin Cote sitting a slashing penalty, Myers chased a long pass up the middle. Lehman came out, but lost his footing, Sjogren reached the puck but inexplicably turned inside across the net and Myers bundled the puck home from 10 feet (24:56).

Sheffield pressed but rarely looked like beating Cruickshank. Then Shudra's pass from low on the right found Sarich arriving up the middle. he skated in and his backhand shot was padded out to Masa who rammed it home (30:46).

With Mark Dutiaume sitting an early penalty in the final period, Lehman did well to blank Jeff Sebastian at the back door. Three minutes later Joe Carderelli couldn't convert Dan Ceman's pass to the far post.

Panthers did most of the pressing but couldn't get in close as Lehman and his defence stood tall. The best chance feel to Simpson on that breakaway, but the Nottingham goalie was on his game tonight.