By Stuart Hughes

Sheffield Steelers held their nerve on the final day of the regular season to win the Superleague title for an historic second time.

Sheffield's 3-1 victory over Nottingham Panthers was enough to put them one point clear of last season's champions Belfast Giants, who beat Bracknell Bees 4-1.

Steelers - who last won the league two years ago - become the first club in the Superleague era to win the championship twice.

The title is Sheffield coach Mike Blaisdell's 11th piece of British silverware.

Blaisdell guided the Steelers to glory

Sheffield left it late to secure the two points they needed to snatch the Montieth Bowl from Belfast and bring to an end the closest ever Superleague title race.

The championship remained up for grabs until the final period of the final league game of the season.

Veteran Rick Brebant fired from the left wing through Nottingham goalie Mike Pietila's pads in the 33rd minute to put Steelers ahead.

The lead was short-lived. Greg Hadden and John Purves were denied just over a minute later but former Steeler Scott Allison got his stick to the puck for the equaliser.

Less than three minutes from time Chris Szysky fired home to put the title back within Sheffield's reach.

Nottingham pulled Pietila for the extra skater as they desperately tried to quash their fierce rivals.

However, eight seconds before the final buzzer Kent Simpson put the puck into the empty net and sealed the title for Steelers.

ICE HOCKEY SUPERLEAGUE - FINAL STANDINGS

Team	P	W	D	OTL	L	For	Ag	Pts
Sheffield Steelers	32	18	5	1	8	86	57	42
Belfast Giants	32	17	6	1	8	111	78	41
Nottingham Panthers	32	15	4	0	13	92	92	34
London Knights	32	11	8	1	12	87	90	31
Bracknell Bees	32	5	5	2	20	71	130	17