Panthers v Devils

Match Report

A Didrik Henbrant hat-trick helped Nottingham Panthers beat Elite League leaders Cardiff Devils 3-1 at the Motorpoint Arena.

The game had a face-off delay of 90 minutes after Devils hit major travel problems on their journey in Nottingham.

Ryan Bednard started between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up. Defenceman Cooper Zech remains out of the line-up as he continues his recovery from a lower body injury.

No goals but Panthers dominate first period
Gleason Fournier hit the pipes for the Devils inside the first minute while at the other end, Sam Herr was denied by Ben Bowns from close-range and Hugo Roy tipped just over.

Panthers dominated much of the first period with Logan Neilson and Henbrant also going close in quick succession, but both sides went to the intermission scoreless.

Henbrant on target but all-square at second intermission
Kristoff Kontos stole the puck on the right boards and fed Henbrant at the backdoor who fired top-shelf across Bowns to put Panthers ahead (21:55).

Bednard saved Josh Batch's shot and then reacted first to freeze the puck with Ryan Barrow approaching, although Panthers continued to have momentum as Neilson, Henbrant and Jordan Kelsall all had chances within a minute of each other.

Devils equalised through Brett Perlini's neat finish from the top of the right-circle just past the midway point of the period (30:55)

Henbrant completes hat-trick to secure huge Panthers win
Ollie Betteridge shot just wide from the high slot and Davis Bunz saw his shot saved after a neat skate into the offensive zone.

Henbrant scored an outstanding goal as he brought down a bobbling puck, cut inside from the right to the slot and slammed in his second of the night (53:16).

And he completed his treble when he raced in-between two Cardiff defenceman to fire low past Bowns to secure a huge two points for the Panthers (57:28)