Ice Hockey: Allison enjoys playing Panthers again

The Sheffield Steelers forward Scott Allison continued his impressive run against Nottingham Panthers in the 2-2 tie at the National Ice Centre on Sunday night.

December's player of the month, no favourite of the Panthers fans, who remember him brawling during a game at the NIC last season, registered a goal and an assist to take his tally to 16 points in seven meetings between the sides. He gave Steelers a 47-second lead, Claude Savoie levelled and Jimmy Drolet earned Panthers a point with the second game-tying goal after Brad Lauer had restored the visitors' lead.

Honours ended even between Manchester Storm and Bracknell Bees after an oscillating confrontation ended in a 3-3 tie at the MEN Arena. Russ Romaniuk, from a powerplay, and the former Bee, Joe Cardarelli, twice put Storm ahead only for Mark Cadotte and Blake Knox to peg them back. The new signing Daniel Goneau made it two goals in as many games to give Bracknell the lead for the first time, but Joe Busillo levelled on the powerplay with 187 seconds left.

Kevin Riehl hit a hat-trick as Belfast Giants continued their march towards the Superleague title, beating Ayr Scottish Eagles 5-1 at the Centrum Arena.

Riehl and Curtis Bowen put Belfast 2-0 up before Eagles forward Cam Bristow and Giants defenceman Jason Bowen were ejected after an altercation.

Riehl added another and Ed Courtenay cut the deficit before Jason Ruff restored the Irish side's three-goal cushion.

Riehl's third ensured he became the league's leading goalscorer when he registered his 20th of the season 55 seconds from time.