Steelers inflict home misery on Panthers again

The Steelers' player-coach had already masterminded a 4-1 league victory at the Panthers' National Ice Centre home earlier this month and returned to clinch a 3-1 triumph in the Challenge Cup.

Panthers will be looking to gain swift revenge when they travel to Sheffield Arena on Friday night for the second Group B match in three days between the two sides.

Before the match, Steelers were grateful to EPL neighbours Sheffield Steeldogs after they released defenceman Ryan Johnson to provide defensive corner.

It was deemed necessary despite Jerramie Domish being passed fit to play having missed Sunday's 5-3 league defeat at Cardiff Devils after turning his ankle in Saturday night's Cup win at home to Coventry Blaze.

But it was Rob Globke who gave the visitors the lead at 14.23 in front of the 5,000 crowd, marking his return from injury in style at the venue where he suffered the concussion which forced him to miss five games.

The Panthers pulled level at 18.10 when Jade Galbraith netted on the powerplay and that's how it stayed until midway through the second when Rob Dowd struck to put the visitors ahead again at 31.35.

With very little to choose between the two sides, Steelers' highly-effective powerplay unit proved why it is currently the best in the league again when Rod Sarich netted at 55.50 for a goal which secured a deserved two points.

The result was enough to nudge Steelers ahead of Cardiff and into top spot in Group B, leaving Nottingham in fourth spot, six points behind Steelers but with four games in hand.

Afterwards, Simon was quick to lavish praise on his depleted roster.

"Every single one of the guys was superb tonight," he said.

"We turned up to a very difficult place to get anything from, worked hard all night, took the game to them and came away with what we wanted - the win and the two points.

"We're down on numbers right now because of injuries so tonight was a major team effort and the supporters were magnificent again.

"We're really looking forward to Friday, but we're not getting carried away as we know they'll but hurting having lost twice on home ice against us."