PLAY OFFS

Sat Mar 27th 1997, BT PLAY OFF CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL, Nynex Arena

Final Score: Panthers 1 Steelers 3, PIMS Panthers 14, Steelers 14

Scorers: Panthers - Laxdal 1, Waghorn +1, Steelers - Shudra, Kovacs 1+1, LaFreniere 1, Malo +1

SOG: Robins 31 = 90.3%, Greco 30 = 96.7%

Panthers got off to the perfect start, Laxdal hitting a shot across Greco high into the corner of the net from the face off circle, with less than a minute gone. Greco then had to be at his best to deny Morgan and Premak. An 8th minute tripping penalty on Laxdal gave Steelers a powerplay. The penalty was killed with Premak and Robins outstanding. Cranston was called for interference in the 11th minute, but Panthers failed to threaten. At 15.57 Steelers equalised, Hand picking out Shudra moving through the centre. Robins could only block his fierce slapshot, the rebound being put away by Shudra at his second attempt. Panthers atarted the second well with Tait narrowly wide and Greco making a great save from Dallman as Adey stood by unattended. In the 25th minute Hand 2, Beaulieu 2+2, Laxdal 2 and Jennings 2+2 were consigned to the box. Plommer followed for tripping at 26.08, to give Panthers another powerplay opportunity. Once again Steelers defence killed it. Steelers then upped a gear, Robins saving from Lafreniere and Leach. On a 35th minute delayed penalty call with the extra skater on, the pressure finally told. Shudra picked out Malo and his fierce low pass to the side of the net was deftly lifted over Robins by Kovacs, to give Steelers a 2-1 lead. An Olsen slapshot flew past Greco but came back off the post. With 39 seconds left of the period Mulvenna took 2 minutes for interference. In the resultant powerplay Steelers gaining the puck dumped it deep. Hadden went after it, chased by Kovacs. As they neared the puck Kovacs produced a push that sent Hadden crashing inot the boards. With Hadden out for the count Kovacs fed Lafreniere who beat Robins. As the third started, Campbell (41.19) and Beaulieu (43.49) gave Panthers a possible 5.19 of powerplay. Greco had to be sharp to stop Hadden, Dallman and Tait. Weber and Hunt then went close. Greco then produced a stunning double save in the 47th minute. At 46.36 Beaulieu and Laxdal both took 2+2 for unsportsmanlike conduct, followed in the 49th minute by Bobyck for holding. Steelers defence held firm for the remainder of the encounter. Overall Steelers greater size and strength in depth proved crucial, allowing them to overpower Panthers generally smaller forwards.

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SUMMARY

Considering the relative budgets & rosters in the new Superleague, Panthers undoubtedly overachieved by winning the Autumn Cup, finishing Championship runners up & 4th in the league. All things considered a successful season.

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Player Stats include Autumn Cup, ISL, Express Cup & Play Offs.

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96/97 HONOURS

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