Sun 20 Apr 2025 - 06:00AM

PANTHERS AGAINST DEVILS IN GRAND FINAL

Nottingham Panthers will face Cardiff Devils in today's Elite League Playoff Final at the Motorpoint Arena (5pm face-off).

Panthers booked their place in the Grand Final with a pulsating 4-3 victory over Sheffield Steelers last night.

After falling 2-0 down to goals by Sam Tremblay and Mitchell Balmas, Hugo Roy and Reid Stefanson made it 2-2 before Mitch Fossier put Panthers ahead.

Balmas scored a freak equaliser to send the game to overtime and captain Sam Herr scored the game-winner on a night of thrilling drama.

Cardiff secured their spot in the final with a convincing 5-0 victory over Belfast Giants.

Cole Sanford scored twice and there was a goal each for Joey Martin, Josh MacDonald and Zach O'Brien.

Memory Lane
The two sides have met each other three times in the final with Panthers coming out on top in 2007, 2011 and 2012.

In 2007, netminder Rastislav Rovnianek was the hero as he saved all three Cardiff penalty-shots to help Panthers lift the trophy.

Forward David Alexandre-Beauregard netted the game-winner two years in a row as Panthers won 5-4 in 2011 and 2-0 in 2012.

After not winning the title for 14 seasons, the Devils won three on the trot in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

In 2018, Matt Pope, Andrew Hotham and Jake Morissette were on target in a 3-1 victory over Sheffield.

The Devils beat Belfast 2-1 the following a year thanks to goals by Mike Hedden and Gleason Fournier.

After a two-year pause because of the pandemic, Cardiff beat Belfast 6-3 in 2022.

Follow the action on Premier Sports and BBC radio
This afternoon's game is live on Premier Sports with Aaron Murphy and former Panthers player and coach Paul Adey.

Click here to find out more on how to watch Premier Sports.

The game can also be followed via BBC Radio Nottingham's commentary with Chris Gadsby and former Panthers netminder Dan Green.

Tune-in on 103.8fm, 95.5fm, digital radio or listen live here.