Blaze v Panthers

Match Report

Ryan Bednard secured a 35-shot shutout as Nottingham Panthers won 3-0 on the road at Coventry Blaze in the Elite League.

It was a special occasion for British forward Ollie Betteridge who made his 500th appearance for the club.

Panthers were without Quinn Wichers and Jakko Niskala, so Jordan Kelsall stepped back to play on defence.

Sam Herr also missed out through injury. Bednard started between the pipes with Jason Grande as back-up.

Coventry had the better of the first period, helped by a succession of powerplays, including nearly a minute of five-on-three which Panthers superbly defended.

Bednard made great saves to deny Jackson Cressey and Grayson Constable while at the other end, Panthers' best chance fell to Tim Doherty.

Panthers were strong in the second period with Didrik Henbrant denied on the breakaway and Otto Nieminen hitting the inside of the right-hand post.

As the session drew to a close, Bednard made a great save to stop Michael Regush's effort from close-range.

Henbrant fed Zsombor Garát who jumped into the play to put Panthers ahead from the left-circle early in the third period (41:07).

Panthers scored their second on a three-on-one break as Kristoff Kontos went forehand-backhand before sliding the puck under Mat Robson (49:28).

Betteridge secured the win when he beat his closest man to the puck and scored into the empty net (59:23) after Blaze had lifted Robson for the extra outskater.