Wednesday 28th December 2011


Boxing Day: Sheffield Steelers 3 - 5 Nottingham Panthers
Tuesday 27th December: Nottingham Panthers 5 - 1 Sheffield Steelers



The Unison Sheffield Steelers suffered a reality check over their two festive games against arch rivals Nottingham, going down on both nights and, in doing so, being on the wrong end of back to back losses for the first time this season.

Whilst the Boxing Day encounter ebbed and flowed, yesterday's game saw a more convincing win for the Panthers.

On both nights the Steelers had their chances, Mike Ramsay had the Steelers ahead at home on Boxing Day in front of the largest Elite League crowd of the season (7,454) and late in the game, the Steelers still only trailed by a goal until a late empty netter from Nottingham.

Yesterday, the Steelers killed 9 minutes of first period power-play advantage before Matthew Myers had the home team in front. The Steelers battled back when Ramsay scored his second goal of the holiday period to tie the game 1-1.

In fact the Steelers looked the more likely to go ahead until a break of play with 6 minutes remaining in the second session, a 5 minute delay to repair a broken door on the penalty box.

That break came at the wrong time for Ryan Finnerty's side who shortly after the re-start, went behind to a Matt Francis breakaway and a sharp finish from David Beauregard.

The third period started as the second had ended with the Panthers again scoring with Myers netting his 2nd 14 seconds after the re-start. Francis added a late 5th to round off a disappointing weekend for the Steelers.

"We are down and disappointed right now" said Head Coach Ryan Finnerty, who missed the game with a back injury, "Nottingham seem to have our number and to be honest, I don't know why. It may be a mental thing, some guys thinking we just can't beat them. Well they will have to get that thought out of their head!

"I thought we battled hard but played so much of the game short handed. It was a proper Nottingham - Sheffield game and we took some penalties, to be honest the major of which were deserved. The thing was that we didn't get any power-plays back. Nottingham seem to do what they wanted out there and got away with it. I thought the King 5 minute major was harsh. Last week we had guys running us from behind in Cardiff and receiving 2 minutes from the same referee. I just don't get it some nights.

"This is a reality check for sure, but that's all it is. We are still a good and strong hockey club. We are still in an excellent position in the standings and we are still looking for good players to help kick us on should they become available."

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