NOTTINGHAM Panthers landed the first blow in their annual battle with Sheffield Steelers by winning 2-1 in front of a packed house – and a newly engaged couple.
Goals from Chris Lawrence and Brandon Benedict won the game as Panthers fan Mark Gozzard won the hand of Stacey Dyson at the end of the first period with a risky big screen proposal.
As heart-warming as that was, it was all about the action on the ice for home supporters and they were treated to a victory that should have been by a bigger margin as the away side lost their discipline late on.
Despite the close score, Panthers were much the better side and tempers threatened to boil over at the end as Devin Di Diomete went after Lawrence on the buzzer, while the Steelers also took issue with Rob Lachowicz after he won a penalty in the third period.
Panthers took the lead through Lawrence in a second period they dominated despite Jonathan Phillips leveling.
Benedict won the game after 45.46 to give Panthers the Challenge Cup win ahead of another cup game in Coventry on Sunday.
Greg Jacina tested Frank Doyle inside 25 seconds and though he gave up the rebound, Panthers could not capitalise.
They were the first to get a powerplay and though Benedict shot wide and Steve Lee had an effort saved there was no breakthrough. That trend continued despite slick passing between Nathan Robinson, Lachowicz and Lawrence, the latter rasping a one timer wide.
Steelers came into the game well as Mathieu Roy fired through the crease and then Craig Kowalski made a fine block from the same player.
Kowalski also made an outstanding save from the ever antagonising presence of Jason Hewitt after Evan Mosey was on the end of a soft cross checking call.
Panthers were generally the better side but they could not get clear shots in on Doyle despite a good period for Robinson and Mosey in particular.
Goals finally arrived in the second period as Panthers took the lead after 24.32 when Mosey drove to the net and Doyle was unable to cover his backhander with Lawrence rushing in to turn home the rebound.
Max Parent then had two efforts saved, the second of which Doyle knew nothing about. Lawrence could have added to his tally with a succession of shots from the point on two powerplays, one of which had the crowd thinking it was in as it hit the side netting.
That came after an incredible piece of defending by the Panthers as Kowalski saved brilliantly and then Lee dived in sensationally to prevent Rob Dowd scoring into the empty net with Kowalski flying across his net to make another amazing save from Dowd.
Lawrence had another chance after being set-up by Jacina but he could not get any elevation on his shot. Steelers capitalised to level after 37.48.
Kowalski saved twice from Dowd and Hewitt but the second rebound fell perfectly for the onrushing Phillips and he roofed it.
Steelers started the final period well as Kowalski had to be alert to cover the puck ahead of Di Diomete.
It was all Panthers for a spell after that as Benedict and Cody Wild fired wide after being picked out by Bruce Graham. The pressure told as the lead was restored by Benedict.
The stand-in captain fired home after the rebound from Lee's shot fell straight to him. It could have been 3-1 straight after when Jonathan Boxill fed the puck in front and Bryan Schmidt fired into Doyle's midriff.
As the game wore on Steeler gave up a series of penalties. Only a fine stop from Doyle kept his team in it. Panthers finished the game on the powerplay.
Lawrence broke away to score – but the buzzer had gone and he knew it.
