Wed 21 Feb 2024 - 10:00PM
21ST FEBRUARY 2024: PANTHERS 5-4 CARDIFF
🎟 NEXT AT HOME: SUN 25TH FEB (4PM) v BELFAST - BUY TICKETS HERE 🎟
The Nottingham Panthers came from 4-2 down to beat Cardiff Devils 5-4 at the Motorpoint Arena in the Elite League.
On a thrilling night on Lower Parliament Street, roared on by another passionate crowd, Panthers secured a fourth home win in a row.
Panthers were without Ollie Betteridge, Josh Tetlow and Tyler Welsh, but Mathieu Lemay returned to the line-up after missing the past three games with injury.
Young British forward Zaine McKenzie was in the line-up, while Rok Stojanovic got the start in goal with Luca Sheldon as back-up.
Henbrant and Neilson on target in breathless first period
The Devils took an early lead thanks to Justin Crandall's clever redirect from Josh Batch's shot from left-point (2:10), before Panthers hit back with two goals in 28 seconds.
A superb two-on-one break saw Stephen Anderson feed Didrik Henbrant (5:09), while Alexander Lunsjö and Westin Michaud set-up Logan Neilson to score his fourth goal in as many games (5:37).
Cardiff equalised before the first intermission as Cole Sanford's shot took a deflection to deceive Stojanovic (14:42).
Luciani reduces arrears after Cardiff score twice in second session
The visitors scored early in the second period when Marcus Crawford shot the puck towards the net and Jamie Arniel got the redirect from close-range (22:41).
Arniel netted on the powerplay under seven minutes later as he reacted first to a loose puck on the doorstep (29:15).
Panthers then killed-off a four-minute penalty which proved the turning point in the game.
Anthony Luciani reduced the arrears when he pounced to a rebound after Jake Ryczek's shot was saved just after a Panthers powerplay came to an end (39:36).
Panthers score two third-period goals to secure huge two points
Simon Després produced a fine toe-drag before seeing his shot saved, while Henbrant pinged the left-hand post and Joe Hazeldine hit the bar as Panthers pushed for an equaliser.
The Panthers pressure told as Jordan Kelsall slipped the puck through to Hugo Roy who cut inside from the right and fired top-shelf over the shoulder of Wall (50:52).
The Motorpoint Arena erupted with a pulsating roar when Félix Paré fed Joe Hazeldine, who let rip with a belter from left-point for the game-winner (54:36).
Glasgow on-the-road next before Belfast at home on Sunday
Panthers are back in action on Saturday with a trip to Scotland to face Elite League playoff rivals Glasgow Clan.
Nottingham then return home to host Belfast Giants at the Motorpoint Arena on Sunday (4pm face-off) - a game sponsored by Taste of Espana.
Family tickets are available for all Sunday league games this season, offering big discounts compared to a standard matchday ticket. Click here for more details.