Panthers v Devils

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers moved up to second in the Elite League table, a point behind leaders Belfast Giants, with a 5-1 victory over Cardiff Devils.

A passionate crowd of over 4,800 saw Panthers produce a superb performance at the Motorpoint Arena to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

Josh Tetlow and Jaakko Niskala returned to the line-up, but Panthers remained without forwards Otto Nieminen and Reid Stefanson.

Jason Grande started between the pipes with Jere Huhtamaa as back-up.

Two-goal first period for Panthers
Panthers took the lead after only 92 seconds when a shot by Davis Bunz was deflected into the path of Logan Neilson who went top-shelf from the slot (01:32).

Matt Alfaro sent Sam Herr on a breakaway short-handed and he pulled a superb move to the left to round Mac Carruth (17:23).

At the other end, Sam Duggan hits the pipes and Grande made a superb save to deny Cody Donaghey on the powerplay.

Doherty scores on powerplay
Devils made a strong start to the second period and Grande turned away a close-range shot from former Panther Brett Perlini.

Riley Brandt reduced the arrears when he cut across the left-circle and went top-shelf past Grande (31:50).

Panthers made it 3-1 on the powerplay when Cooper Zech's feed found Tim Doherty who fired past Carruth with a one-timer from the right-circle (37:34).

Two early third-period goals seal victory
Panthers scored twice in 66 seconds at the start of the third session as Alfaro cut inside off the left boards to beat Carruth on the powerplay (41:03).

Zsombor Garat's shot came back off the backboards for Herr to score from close-range for his second of the night and 32nd of the season (42:09).

Panthers saw out the game with ease as Grande impressed once again, turning away 30 of the 31 shots he faced.