Sheffield had the better of the opening period out shooting the Panthers 16 to 5 but it took them 18 minutes to finally beat the home defence as Jason Sessa was allowed time and space scored up high on Mika Pietila from a narrow angle to make the away fans happy at the first interval.

The second period continued to be tight with both sides having a chance on the powerplay but failing to convert, the Panthers finally tied the game at 35:53 when Mark Cadotte won a face off in the Sheffield zone feeding Thompson who let fly from point scoring in the top corner of Joel Laing net. The Panthers out-shooting the Steelers 8-7 in the second period.

The Panthers stepped up the play in the final period out-shooting the Steelers 15-11, and took the lead at 47:40 as Thompson fired a rocket which Joel Laing could only get piece of but not enough to stop the shot crossing the line. Sheffield then had two powerplay chances but could not find the equaliser despite pulling Joel Laing in the final minute as the Panthers held on for their first win against the Steelers this season.

Man-of-the-Match for Panthers: Briane THOMPSON
Man-of-the-Match for Sheffield: Dion DARLING
Penalty Minutes - Panthers 34, Sheffield 18
Shots on Goal - Panthers 28, Sheffield 34
Referee: Nigel Boniface

Despite being held up in traffic and arriving just 20 minutes before the warm-up started, it was the Panthers who were first out the blocks opening the scoring after 3 minutes with Jason Elders scoring his 3rd in 3 games and three minutes later it was 2-0 as Kristian Taubert fired home. The Panthers then allowed the Bees back into the game as Bracknell levelled the game within four minutes with Darren Hurley scoring the first with a shot that bobbled past Mika Pietila before Tero Arkiomaa was allowed space to tie the game. The Panthers regained the lead with just 4 seconds left in the period with Hadden winning the face off back to Jimmy Paek who fed Eric Charron to fire home.

Two goals in 18 seconds effectively won the game for the Panthers as Jason Elders (PP) netted his second of the night and Mark Cadotte scored against his former team with the goal that saw the end of Bees starting netminder Joe Watkins, replaced by Brian Greer. Bracknell pulled one back following a great passing play which allowed Darren Hurley time and space to fire home his second of the night.

There was only one further goal in the third period, Mark Cadotte scored his second of the night following a great pass from Jason Clarke. Both teams had further chances but neither could convert as the Panthers ran out comfortable winners.

Man-of-the-Match for Bracknell: Darren HURLEY
Man-of-the-Match for Panthers: Jason ELDERS
Penalty Minutes - Bracknell 6, Panthers 4
Shots on Goal - Bracknell 30, Panthers 40
Referee: Nigel Boniface

The 28 year old forward has been brought in as cover for the injured Dody Wood who has been told by specialists he must rest a niggling injury for at least a week. Wetzel has previous Superleague experience after playing for the London Knights.

* ISL head-to-head this season: Nottingham lead W3-L0-D0

* Bees have been mauled by Panthers in the previous 3 ISL meetings this season having been outscored 19-6 overall in 3 defeats.

* It began so differently early in the season when Bees defeated Panthers at home and drew the return at Nottingham in September Challenge Cup play.

* In fact, that cup win is the only time Bees have got the better of Panthers in the last 12 meetings between the clubs (W1-L7-D4) over the past 13 months.

* The revised ISL table, following the withdrawal of Manchester and Scot.Eagles, shows Bees with the worst home record at W2-L4-D1 and Panthers, jointly with Bees, as least successful on the road (W1-L4-D1).

* Panthers are without a win in their last 3 road games (W0-L2-D1) having drawn at London Arena last time out.

* Bees Mr Consistent, Dan Ceman, played his 200th competitive game in this country in the previous fixture at Nottingham and took his career scoring total to 79 goals and 185 points having scored in the heavy loss.

* Canadian forward Ceman (29), now in his 3rd season at Bracknell having spent his first year with Sheffield, is Bees leading goal scorer this term having netted 11 in league and cup.

Lorenz has featured in 12 league games for Guildford Flames this season, where he has averaged a save percentage of 86.5% and a Goals Against Average of 3.85. Lorenz featured in 54 games playing over 3000 minutes, he averaged a save percentage of 91.0% and a goals against of 2.81.

In over 769 career games, to the end of the 2001/02 season, Frank has scored 408 points, and has amassed 2,220 PIMs and for the Panthers he played 36 games scoring 9 points (3+6) and collecting 53 penalty minutes.

A solid road performance Sunday night in London completed a satisfactory weekend for the Panthers, who moved off the bottom of the superleague table. After beating Bracknell Bees 7-2 at the NIC on Saturday, the Panthers travelled to London without Barry Nieckar (Suspension) and Dody Wood (Shoulder Strain) and came within minutes on victory before being held to a 1-1 tie.

The Panthers defeated Bracknell thanks to a hat-trick and Man of the Match performance from Jason Clarke. John Purves opened the scoring before Bracknell levelled through Mike McBain, Panthers regained the lead as Scott Allison scored a trademark one on one goal. Clarke grabbed his first of the night on the powerplay and 33 seconds later Jason Elders opened his superleague account with a well taken backhanded goal, Clarke scored his second to make it 5-1 at the first interval.

Former Panther Dave Struch missed a penalty shot early in the second period before former Bee Mark Cadotte scored to make it 6-1, Bracknell reduced the score when Dan Ceman scored a minute before the end of the second. The Panthers scored the final goal of the game just 32 seconds into the third period when Clarke forced home a rebound for his hat-trick.

The Panthers were just 5 minutes from a perfect weekend when they left Kim Ahlroos all alone in front, Ahlroos made no mistake and the game went to Overtime, both teams had chances but the Panthers were disappointed not to have the game won and with a little luck they would have done, despite hitting the pipework numerous times the Panthers only had Jason Elders effort on the powerplay to show for their efforts.

The Panthers opened the scoring on the powerplay halfway through the game when Elders scored for the second game running when he turned home the rebound from Jason Clarke�s shot. The Panthers had other powerplay chances but could not make them count and was very unlucky at the started of the third not to increase the lead when Jason Elders had beaten Knights netminder Dave Trofimenkoff all ends up but saw his effort come back off the bar. The Knights made the Panthers pay thanks to Kim Ahlroos.

The Panthers will be hoping to continue the weekend�s form on Thursday when they travel to the Hive to face the Bracknell Bees (Face Off: 8pm). A win could see the Panthers climb to third place.

Knights missing the injured Nate Leslie and Vezio Sacratini, Panthers without Dody Wood, Barry Nieckar. A quiet opening period saw few decent chances for either side. Knights held firm when Panthers had a 5 on 3 advantage.

The second period saw more intensity as Jinman hit the post at 25.34. A bench minor yielded Panthers first goal from Elders. Nottingham had another 5 on 3 opportunity but Knights failed to yield. The period ended with a clash between Jinman and Kolesar in the corner behind the Knights goal.

Elders shot seconds into the third period hit the underside of the crossbar. Knights pressure late in the game saw a Burke effort foiled at 53.02. Kolesar with a backhanded pass split the Panthers defence allowing Ahlroos to score. With 75 seconds of normal time remaining McIntyre was foiled in his bid for the winner.

Overtime saw seven shots but neither side could find a way past the goalies. Trofimenkoff was pulled for the extra forward at 64.58 with the face off in the Panthers defensive zone.

Man-of-the-Match for London Knights: Kim AHLROOS
Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: Mark CADOTTE
Penalty Minutes - London 12, Panthers 6
Shots on Goal - London 30, Panthers 32
Referee: Andy Carson

Watkins remained the busier keeper but Bees were awarded a penalty shot at 23-33 - Pietila saved from Struch. Watkins was beaten when a Cadotte shot hooked over late in the period but Bracknell replyed with a goal fron Ceman.

Clarke bagged his 1st Panthers hat-trick with his 3rd rebound of the game early doors in the third and although the goal rush dried up Bees kept going and the game remained entertaining to the final hooter.

Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham PANTHERS: Jason CLARKE
Man-of-the-Match for Bracknell BEES: Dan CEMAN
Penalty Minutes - Panthers 8, Bracknell 16
Shots on Goal - Panthers 40, Bracknell 38
Referee: Simon Kirkham

* Brent Pope
Former Panthers defenceman and GB international Brent Pope (now at Solihull MK Kings) was recently named Defenseman of the Tournament, following GB participation in the AstraZeneca Four Nation Tournament in Hungary.

* Jarret Zukiwsky
Anchorage Aces (WCHL) have waived forward Jarret Zukiwsky, who had two assists and 30 minutes in penalties with a -6 rating in seven games. Anchorage was Zukiwsky's third WCHL side this season following stints in Idaho (2 games) and San Diego (2 games).

Panthers got off to a great start with Lee Jinman drawing a good stick save from Dave Trofimenkov after just 13 seconds. Unfortunately, that was the first of a total of three shots on goal for the Panthers in the whole of the first period. Panthers killed off a couple of penalties before the Knights opened the scoring, the home side getting drawn out of position to allow Mark Kolesar to shoot through a crowd and past Petter Sandstrom.

London had only managed a measley three shots themselves in the first period but in the second they quadrupled that. The Panthers repeated a dismal three. At least they managed managed to draw the period in the scoring stakes at 0-0.

Ian McIntyre popped up to score the game winner two minutes into the final period after he robbed Jimmy Paek in the slot to backhand into the net. Panthers finally got onto the board in the 47th minute with a typically stunning goal from Jinman, Paek this time providing and Jinman scoring while being prostrate on the ice thanks to the attentions of Sean Blanchard. A needless tripping penalty by Scott Allison led to a converted powerplay for the Knights, Mo Mansi deflecting Vezio Sacratini's blue line slapshot past Sandstrom. With the Panthers' "bad boys" promising to keep themselves in check, it was down to the diminutive Greg Hadden to pick a fight and hold his own against Chris Slater late in the game. Panthers ran the gauntlet of the extra skater / empty net and came off worse, Jeff Hoad scoring to begin the Panthers fans' early exodus.

Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: Lee JINMAN
Man-of-the-Match for London Knights: Mark KOLESAR
Penalty Minutes - Panthers 20, London 16
Shots on Goal - Panthers 16, London 24
Referee: Dave Cloutman

Scott Allison raised his eyes to the ceiling when he finally scored his first home goal for the Panthers to put them in front. Belfast, on a penalty kill, sparked a melee around Ryder with one second to go on the period. Referee Boniface gave a minor penalty to each side when the dust settled.

Clarke hit the top shelf to double Nottm's lead but a tip in by Kelmanset up the finale. Pietila came ten feet out of his net to poke check and Giants turned the loose puck in front for Matsos to slide home into the empty net before he could get back into position. Panthers took their timeout in the last minute, but it remained level to the final hooter and through overtime.

Attendance: 4404
Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: Mark CADOTTE
Man-of-the-Match for Belfast Giants: Dave MATSOS
Penalty Minutes - Panthers 12, Belfast 16
Shots on Goal - Panthers 49, Belfast 34
Referee: Nigel Boniface

Several fixture changes are already in the pipeline and with the Manchester Storm declaring they are going into liquidation the whole fixture list is now being revised. One change already in the pipeline saw a change of opponent on November 16th but this has now been reversed and the Panthers will tackle the Bees on that date, as originally scheduled.

An Investigation into the events during and at the end of the above Game has taken place with the following results.

Barry Nieckar of the Nottingham Panthers received a game misconduct and 2 match penalties at the end of the game.

The ISL Disciplinary Commitee have suspended him for 5 games for Sucker Punching, a 2 Game Suspension for manhandling one of the Linesman and a Game Suspension for making a Travesty of the Game making a total of 8 Games. In addition, the Game Misconduct penalty for deliberately removing his shirt to participate in an altercation will remain in place. He has also been fined a total of �500.

Additional penalties arising from the game have been given to the following players under ISL Supplementary Discipline for their involvement.

Dody Wood - Panthers Game Misconduct
Jason Clarke - Panthers Game Misconduct
Lee Sorochan - Giants. Game Misconduct
Ryan Bach - Giants 10 Min Misconduct

Briane Thompson of Panthers has been given a Match Penalty under ISL Supplementary Discipline for making an Obscene Gesture to the crowd on leaving the ice. He has been Suspended for 1 Game and fined �250.

Scott Allison of Panthers on leaving the ice was struck by a member of the public. He is commended for showing great restraint for allowing the Arena Security to deal with the matter.

Jim Graves the Match Night Co-ordinator at the Arena is to be complimented for taking swift and positive action in identifying the individual and banning him from the Arena for all future games.

All the Arena staff are also commended for their actions on the night in dealing with what was a potentially difficult set of circumstances.

John, who signed for the Panthers during the summer from Utah Grizzlies (AHL) and made Captain for the year on his arrival has been in sparkling form recently, being named Man of the Match twice during the month, while also scoring game winners against Scottish Eagles (A) and Coventry Blaze (A). Purves currently has 14 points (9+5) from 15 games.

Purves narrowly beat Mark Cadotte for the award, This is the second month running that Mark Cadotte has been narrowly beaten for the award. Cadotte continues to be in impressive form. Mark currently has 23 points (8+15) from 15 games.

The first period was without doubt the Panthers best period of hockey this season but incredible the period ended 1-1 thanks to Eagles netminder Eoin McInerney as the Panthers out-shoot the Eagles 17-4. The Panthers opened the scoring at 05:29 when Lee Jinman went coast to coast scoring up high on former Panther McInerney. The Eagles levelled at 12:56 after Jimmy Paek was caught out at the blue line by Jason Rushton who fed Xavier Majic to tie the score.

The second was more even with the Panthers out-shooting the Eagles 13-9 but more importantly winning the period 2-0, Jason Clarke scored for the second game running at 31:59 and Marc Hussey made it 3-1, jumping into the play to fire home good play by Cadotte and Wood at 36:20.

The third saw the Panthers increase their lead to 5-1 with captain John Purves scoring on a delayed penalty call again assisted by Cadotte and Wood at 46:32. It was 5-1 on another delayed penalty with Lee Jinman deflecting home a shot by Jimmy Paek with Scott Allison picking up the secondary assist.

However two quick strikes by the Eagles looked like having the Panthers on the rack, firstly Jeff Johnstone turned the puck home at 49:21 and a minute later it was 5-3 when Jonni Vauhkonen turned the puck through Mika Pietila's legs but the Panthers steady the ship when John Purves netted his second of the game at 52:41 assisted by Elders and Jinman. Briane Thompson completed the scoring at 55:20 when he show his stick handling ability as he danced past the Eagles defence to score his 2nd league goal of the season.

Jason Clarke picked up Man of the Match for probably his best performance as a Panther but personally I think Dody Wood deserves a special mention, depsite failing to score he was involved in four of the goals and without doubt put in his best performance to date. Eagles man of the match was former Panthers netminder Eoin McInerney who faced 45 shots.

Man of the Match for Panthers : Jason CLARKE
Man of the Match for Scottish Eagles : Eoin MCINERNEY
Shots - Panthers 45, Scottish Eagles 24
PIM's - Panthers 10, Scottish Eagles 8
Referee : Mike Rowe
Attendance : 3917

The Panthers started the game nervously and took the first penalty of the night at 02:29 Dody Wood (Tripping) but killed the penalty with ease. Darling and Allison clashed at 08:01 with both slashing each other before dropping the gloves with Darling coming out on top.

The Steelers opened the scoring at 11:00 when Rhett Gordon was allowed space to turn the puck home but the Panthers tied the game at 18:22 when Jason Clarke shot sneaked through Joel Laing, the goal came on the powerplay (the first by a visiting team to the Sheffield Arena) followinga 2+2+10 penalty against Jason Sessa, the period ended 1-1.

The Panthers hit penalty trouble in the second following some dodgy calls by referee Kirkham, the first to go was Jason Elders (Tripping) following a hip check in the corner, which the Panthers managed to kill but two 5 on 3's would hand the game to Sheffield. Sheffield regained the lead at 29:42 with former Panther Brent Bobyck turning the puck home from close range.

At 35:59 Briane Thompson (Tripping) was the start of the 5 on 3's, Thompson slid along the ice to block a possible shot but Bobyck faked and attempted to go round before falling down. (Panthers GM Gary Moran said "Thompson didn't get within 3 feet of Bobyck") Thompson was followed to the box by Dody Wood (Cross Checking at 36:37) on the edge of the Panthers crease and 22 seconds later Jason Sessa scored to make it 3-1.

At 37:30 Marc Hussey (High Sticks) gave another 5 on 3 to Sheffield with Dion Darling making it 4-1 at 38:30. Panthers coach Paul Adey received a game misconduct at 40:00, Adey was unhappy with referee Kirkham for calling the penalties to hand Sheffield the 5 on 3's but more so for referee Kirkham failing to call a penalty against Steelers netminder Joel Laing for leaving the crease. This was pointed out by a linesman but was over ruled much to Adey's frustration.

The Panthers started the third on fire, with GM Gary Moran running the bench and made it 4-2, 23 seconds into the period with Lee Jinman scoring from Purves and Cadotte. Sheffield killed the momentum at 44:56 when Dion Darling blasted home past Mika Pietila who replaced Petter Sandstrom at the second interval. Both teams had further powerplay chances but neither could convert leaving Sheffield to run out 5-2 winners.

Man of the Match for Steelers : Dion DARLING
Man of the Match for Panthers : Lee JINMAN
Shots - Steelers 31, Panthers 31
PIM's - Steelers 29, Panthers 41
Referee : Simon Kirkham
Attendance : 6318

* The 100th ISL game for Steelers� Rhett Gordon, who currently heads the ISL individual points scoring race. Gordon also has a leading 13 goals from 16 league and cup games this season.

* Steelers have already handed two stinging defeats to their bitter rivals in two previous clashes this season. They whipped Panthers 7-2 on home ice paced by four-goal Scott Levins and then blanked them 3-0 at Nottingham behind a 27-save shut-out from Joel Laing.

* Steelers have a fine home record against Panthers in the Superleague era, winning 25 of 30 encounters. Every game has produced a winning result with no recorded draws - or prisoners.

* Steelers have won the previous seven fixtures against Panthers at the House of Steel.

* Panthers last won here in the 2000/01 season when they were twice victorious in overtime. But you have to go all the way back to Boxing Day 1997 for their previous win at Sheffield Arena in regulation time!

* This clash will be the 60th time the teams have met in the new era with Steelers holding a W34--L23-D3 winning record. Steelers came into the week with a 100% penalty killing record on home ice in the ISL (seven games).

* And Panthers have the best power play on the road - 14.3%. Steelers are unbeaten in a record 19 games on home ice against domestic opposition - 16 wins and 3 draws.

Team News
Following the superleague's decision to reduce the Match penalty against Scott Allison and clear him to play against his former team, the Panthers are expecting to be at full strength with the exception of Barry Nieckar who has been suspended for 2 games following his two Match penalty in Belfast. The Panthers also have a few players carrying stick injuries but they are all expected to ice.

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