Reaction to Panthers' 2-0 play-off final defeat to Steelers

PANTHERS general manager Gary Moran: "It wasn't a great final but Lehman was outstanding. They paid attention to our key guys and the team that did the right things on the night ended up with the trophy.

"Yes, I'm gutted just as we all are, but I feel so sorry for the fans to have let them down. There is no substitute to winning and nothing you can say can salvage anything out of a defeat.

"I'd like to have won it in the memory of Dave Page (club photographer) and our other fans who we've lost along the way this year and I'd like to have won it for the city.

"But there's always next year..."

Panthers player-coach Corey Neilson: "A good bounce here and there and that game was ours. We did everything right against Coventry. It was an incredible result and I'd hoped it would carry over. We prepared all week for Coventry and executed the game plan really well. We knew what to expect against Sheffield but it didn't work this time.

"Sheffield are an excellent club with an excellent defence and when you have Lehman between the pipes it makes for an excellent season. They stacked a whole bunch of guys in front of Lehman and they did a great job.

"I was out-coached tonight but the players couldn't have given me any more. Look at the shots and look at the chances, I don't think anyone will disagree that we probably out-chanced them, that's just a fact. And to say we couldn't have won is not true."

Panthers forward Dan Tessier: "It's a tough feeling right now that we just couldn't get it done. Every guy on the team deserved to win and it's hard to swallow, especially it being my last game. This team is going to be one of the best in the next few years. There are amazing things going to happen here.

"I never imagined the last two minutes of my hockey career would go so quickly and I wish I could play some more. But life goes on and being a police officer is something I want to do.

"After starting playing when I was five, I look back on 11 years of professional hockey so it's going to be tough not playing again."

Panthers captain Danny Meyers: "When I took over the 'C' I realised that the last two captains had held up trophies and it was bugging me in my mind all year long that I would be the captain not to get one. But I'm still extremely proud to be the captain of this group of players."

Sheffield's former Panther Ashley Tait: "That's three play-off titles now for me and obviously I'm very pleased."