Super Steelers double up

Sheffield Steelers celebrate the 2009 Play-Off title - pic Rik Rayner

Sheffield Steelers retained their Play-Off title and in the process completed an Elite League double with a 2-0 victory over rivals Nottingham Panthers in Sunday's final.

Goals in the first and final period from Steve Munn and Ryan Finnerty proved the difference between the two sides as another inspired shut-out from Jody Lehman frustrated the majority of the packed-out crowd at the Nottingham Ice Arena.

The Panthers started the better of the two sides with both Jade Galbraith and Corey Nielson bringing the best out of Lehman in the Steelers goal inside the opening two minutes.

Steelers weathered the storm well and Ashley Tait was then guilty of squandering a golden opportunity to put the league champions ahead when he fired straight at Michel Robinson minutes later.

Indiscipline saw Panthers presented with a 5-on-3 powerplay in the 12th minute, however Steelers stood firm to the frustration of the Nottingham supporters inside the arena.

Nemesis

And, with Steelers back to full strength, Munn silenced the Panthers faithful at 14.50 when he drove towards Robinson and unleashed a rocket into the top corner.

Despite further penalty minutes added for both sides, Sheffield took a 1-0 lead into the first interval.

A cagey beginning to the second period saw no notable goalmouth action until the 24th minute when Robinson was called into action to keep Steelers at bay.

Steelers netminder Lehman, recently granted British citizenship, then showed why he has been thrust into GB's World Championship squad with a remarkable double save to thwart Dan Tessier.

A 10-man brawl followed shortly after, and, despite two further powerplay opportunities for Panthers, Sheffield held onto their one-goal advantage at the end of the second twenty.

Panthers flew out of the traps at the start of the final period, however, once again Lehman proved Panthers' nemesis - denying Brendan Cook on two separate occasions.

With time running out, Steelers struck again when Finnerty reacted first to the loose puck and fired home at 44.37.

Panthers continued to power forward desperately searching for a route back into the final, however Steelers, and more specifically Lehman, were in an unforgiving mood and secured a memorable double for coach Dave Matsos.

Magic

Speaking after the win Steelers coach Dave Matsos said: "It was a clash of two completely different teams.

"You have the offensively potent Nottingham Panthers and a team which plays good defence. I thought the guys closed down our end probably as good as I have seen it.

"We had to play a perfect, stingy game and the guys stuck to the game plan to a tee. We have a team who will buy into a 1-0 win and not stray from the game plan. We don't take chances."

Panthers player-coach Neilson accepted they were beaten by the better team. He said: "Maybe there was a little bit too much magic against Coventry [in the semi-final] and we didn't save any for today.

"We were on such a high from the way we played, we did everything right. I had hoped it would carry over but Sheffield are an excellent club and well drilled."