Blaze v Panthers

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers made it five wins out of six to start the Challenge Cup campaign with a 3-2 overtime victory over Coventry Blaze in the Skydome.

Rok Stojanovic started in goal with Ryan Bednard as back-up, but Cooper Zech (lower body injury) and Kristoff Kontos (precuation) were not in the line-up.

Head Coach Danny Stewart was given a standing ovation on his first return to the Skydome since leaving the Blaze for the Panthers in the summer.

Neilson and Herr score in first period
​Logan Neilson shot just wide on an early first-period Panthers powerplay while at the other end, Stojanovic made a good save to deny Grayson Constable.

Panthers went ahead just before the midway point of the session as Tim Doherty's shot from the slot was saved, but Neilson buried the puck past Mat Robson after a goalmouth scramble (9:33).

Sam Herr made it 2-0 on the powerplay when he shot short-side from the left-circle following good work by Doherty and Hugo Roy (15:07).

Blaze hit back to level at second intermission
Stojanovic turned away efforts by Terrance Amorosa and Michael Regush on Blaze powerplay in the second period and then made a world-class stick save as he flung himself across the net to stop Chase Gresock's goalbound shot.

Grescock scored moments later as he swept into the offensive zone and cut inside from the right (29:32) and Regush beat the defence to slide the puck under Stojanovic to equalise under four minutes later (33:22).

No goals in third period
Roy hit the pipes short-handed at the start of the third period and then shot inches wide when he cut in from the right-hand side.

Otto Nieminen went close from close-range as Panthers dominated the opening stages of the third session, before Coventry had a spell of pressure which saw Stojanvoic deny Zach Heintz.

Doherty wins it for Panthers in overtime
Overtime was end-to-end and Panthers took the extra point with a well-worked goal.

Ollie Betteridge sent the puck to Matt Spencer on the right-hand side who fed the slot and Tim Doherty drove the net to score the game-winner (63:05).