Sun 31 Dec 2023 - 6:40PM

31ST DECEMBER 2023: PANTHERS 2-4 BLAZE

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The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 4-2 at home by Coventry Blaze in the Elite League on New Year's Eve.

Simon Després, who took a stick to the eye in Coventry last night, was added to the injury list which also includes Josh Tetlow, Ollie Betteridge and Austin Farley. Rok Stojanovic started between the pipes with Mike Robinson as back-up.

Lunsjö puts Panthers ahead before Blaze hit back
Panthers took the lead on the powerplay as Westin Michaud's shot from the right-circle was saved by Taran Kozun, but Alexander Lunsjö was on the doorstep to bury the rebound (5:40).

The visitors hit back within two minutes through Blake Thompson's blast from left-point through traffic with Stojanovic unsighted (7:29).

Joe Hazeldine went close for the Panthers at one end before Coventry broke up the ice and Kim Tallberg fired into the top corner to put Coventry ahead (10:24).

No goals in second period as McGurty is thrown-out
Panthers had chances for Hugo Roy (short-handed) and Westin Michaud while Jake Ryczek went close on the powerplay.

Stojanovic made an outstanding save to deny Danny Kristo before Nottingham defenceman Myles McGurty was thrown-out for a 5+Game for kneeing.

Lemay on target for Panthers but Blaze secure two points
Nottingham were outstanding on the resulting five-minute penalty-kill, but former Panther Jack Hopkins beat Stojanovic with a wrist-shot from the slot to give Coventry a two-goal lead (47:09).

Ian McNulty scored Blaze's fourth when he tipped-in Alessio Luciani's shot (53:08), before Panthers reduced the arrears in the closing stages six-on-five with Stojanovic lifted for the extra skater.

Michaud and Stephen Anderson combined to set-up Lemay in the slot (58:20) for his third goal of the weekend but, despite a late powerplay when Blaze had Blake Thompson thrown-out, Panthers were unable to beat Taran Kozun again.