Panthers v Devils

Match Report

A short-benched Nottingham Panthers secured a huge two points with a 3-1 victory over Cardiff Devils at the Motorpoint Arena.

Netminder Ryan Bednard turned away 34 shots of the 35 shots he faced in a man-of-the-match performance.

Panthers were once again without Cooper Zech, Matt Alfaro and Tim Doherty because of injury, but Jaakka Niskala returned after missing last night's game in Guildford with illness.

Luca Sheldon remained out of the line-up with injury, so Nottingham Lions netminder Isaac Ballinger was back-up to Bednard.

Herr and Nieminen score after Devils early goal
Devils took an early lead through Joey Martin's neat finish from the slot through the five-hole (4:02).

Panthers turned the game around with two goals in six minutes as Mitch Fossier's backhand pass set-up Sam Herr who went top-shelf on Ben Bowns from close-range to equalise (11:33).

Otto Nieminen put the hosts ahead on the powerplay with a rebound after Bowns saved Didrik Henbrant's shot from the left-circle (17:21).

No goals in second period
Panthers had all of the pressure in the second period, helped by two successive powerplays, and outshot the Devils 11-5.

Herr, Logan Neilson, Davis Bunz, Kristoff Kontos and Jordan Kelsall all had chances on the man advantage.

At the other end, Bednard saved well down low to deny Tyler Busch.

Bednard stands firm as Didrik puts seal on win
Reid Stefanson shot wide inside the first minute of the third period as Panthers went in search of a third goal.

Bednard turned away shots from Cardiff forwards Ryan Barrow and Brett Perlini, before Bowns kept Devils in it with outstanding saves to deny Fossier from close-range and Herr on a breakaway.

Devils lifted Bowns for the extra skater with three minutes remaining and Bednard made great stops on shots from Cole Sanford and Hunter Shinkaruk, before Didrik Henbrant put the seal on the win with an empty-net goal (59:30).