Panthers v Blaze

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers made it three wins from three to start their Challenge Cup campaign with a 3-2 victory over Coventry Blaze at the Motorpoint Arena.

Last year's Assistant Coach Kevin Moore - who is now Head Coach of the Blaze - got a standing ovation ahead of face-off, while Panthers Head Coach Danny Stewart faced his former club for the first time.

Ryan Bednard started between the pipes with Rok Stojanovic as back-up, but Cooper Zech missed out with a lower body injury.

Doherty and Alfaro gives Panthers first-period lead
Great build-up play between Ollie Betteridge and Reid Stefanson set-up Tim Doherty at the backdoor who went short-side to give Panthers an early lead (2:12).

Davis Bunz fed Matt Alfaro for a beauty of a one-timer from the right-circle as Panthers made it 2-0 on the powerplay (15:42).

Panthers outshot the Blaze 14-7 in the first period but when called upon, Bednard made some top-class saves including three on a penalty-kill in quick succession.

Bednard stands firm in second period
Jaako Niskala and Alfaro had chances for the Panthers in the first half of the second period, while Sam Herr went close late in the session on the powerplay.

At the other end, Bednard made two outstanding close-range saves to stop Grayson Constable on a Blaze powerplay and also denied Alessio Luciani.

Alfaro scores his second as Panthers secure another two points
Herr shot wide on a two-on-one short-handed break early in the third period, but Blaze closed the gap when Luciani buried the puck home from close-range on the powerplay after a scramble around the net (41:12).

Didrik Henbrant won the race for the puck, used his speed in the offensive zone and set-up Alfaro to fire top-shelf for his second of the night (52:26).

Bednard made two great saves on a late Coventry powerplay while Michael Regush pinged his close-range shot against the bar.

Chase Gresock scored a late goal from close-range with Blaze netminder Matt Robson lifted for the extra skater (58:48), but Panthers stood firm for a third successive victory.