Sheffield Steelers 4-3 Nottingham Panthers (final)
If they win in Fife tomorrow, they will retain the Elite Championship.
Tonight they overcame a stubborn Nottingham side 4-3, after shipping in two goals in the last 15 minutes.
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Hide AdDefenceman Cullen Eddy gave Steelers a first period advantage tonight with a 19th minute goal against Nottingham Panthers.
Goaltender Marek Pinc had pulled off some excellent close-range saves as Panthers sought to wreck the party, with Sheffield in pole position to win the Elite League title.
Jeff Legue's line with Mathieu Roy and Conny Stromberg had threatened on occasion, Russ Moyer roamed forward to create an opportunity, but it looked like we were in for a barren first session.
Then Cullen threw the puck on net through traffic and it sneaked home past Shane Madalora, with 22 seconds left of the period.
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Hide AdThe home fans went ballistic - and hoped that it would settle both their nerves and the team's.
Levi Nelson made it 2-0 with a shot from the left wing at 27;10 and the omens looked good.
And while Kevin Quick dragged one back with 11 seconds to go on a Nottingham Panthers Power Play, Sheffield were not to be denied.
Two GB regulars Rob Dowd and Ben O'Connor stepped in and scored each to make it 4-1 at the second interval.
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Hide AdSteelers needed to defend in the last period, which they did, but still conceded two goals in eight minutes from Brad Moran and Geoff Waugh.
It led to an even bigger finger-nail chewing finale - but two regular time points were in the bag.
Afterwards Levi Nelson and Fredrik Vestberg said the sole focus on getting two points at Fife Flyers tomorrow. While Fitzgerald will have to sit out, they said the team wanted to move on and win the Play Offs afterwards.
* Cardiff Devils overcame Manchester Storm 5-2 to keep their hopes alive thanks to goals from Chris Culligan, Andrew Hotham (powerplay), Jake Morissette, with a brace, and Ryan Russell (powerplay).
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Hide AdBari McKenzie and Stefan Meyer both weighed in with two goals as Braehead Clan inflicted an 8-1 defeat on Edinburgh Capitals.
Belfast Giants were too strong for Fife, clinching a 5-1 win, while Dundee Stars defeated Coventry Blaze 2-1.
RESULTS
Saturday 19th March
Elite League
Belfast Giants 5 Fife Flyers 1
Braehead Clan 8 Edinburgh Capitals 1
Dundee Stars 2 Coventry Blaze 1
Manchester Storm 2 Cardiff Devils 5
Sheffield Steelers 4 Nottingham Panthers 3
FIXTURES
Sunday 20th March
Elite League
Cardiff Devils v Nottingham Panthers – 6.00pm
Coventry Blaze v Manchester Storm – 5.15pm
Edinburgh Capitals v Braehead Clan – 5.30pm
Fife Flyers v Sheffield Steelers – 6.30pm