Sat 9 Mar 2024 - 9:15PM

9TH MARCH 2024: DEVILS 6-2 PANTHERS

🎟 NEXT AT HOME: TUES 12TH MARCH v FIFE FLYERS - BUY TICKETS HERE 🎟

The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 6-2 by Cardiff Devils at the Vindico Arena in the Elite League on Saturday night.

Panthers welcomed back Westin Michaud after injury but Stephen Anderson, Ollie Betteridge and Logan Neilson were missing from the line-up.

Rok Stojanovic started between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up.

Nieminen scores early but Devils lead at first intermission
Didrik Henbrant had a chance inside the first 10 seconds before Panthers took the lead when Otto Nieminen skated into the offensive zone, cut inside from the right and put away his own rebound (3:12).

Cody Donaghey's one-timer from the left-circle on the powerplay equalised for the hosts (5:15) and moments later, Stojanovic made a great save to deny Cole Sanford.

Devils took a two-goal lead at the end of the first period as Evan Mosey fed Josh Batch in the slot (10:48) and Joey Martin rounded Stojanovic with a neat move (12:31).

Cardiff score twice more to take full control
Bode Wilde's shot was tipped-in by Jamie Arniel on the powerplay as Cardiff scored early in the second session (​22:23) and Martin grabbed his second of the night when he redirected a pass from Donaghey from right-point (27:40).

At the other end, Hugo Roy hit the bar and shot just wide while Henbrant and Alexander Lunsjö both also went close.

With the period drawing to a close, Jordan Kelsall dropped the gloves and went toe-to-toe with Devils defenceman Marcus Crawford.

Lemay scores on powerplay but Devils ease to victory
​Panthers made a strong start to the third period and Roy set-up Mathieu Lemay to score a one-timer on one knee in the left-circle on the powerplay (42:13).

Trevor Cox fed Martin in the slot to complete his hat-trick (50:24) before a line brawl saw a feisty end to the game, with both Henbrant and Josh Tetlow dropping the gloves.

Panthers face Clan in Scotland tomorrow before Fife at home on Tuesday
​Panthers move onto Scotland tomorrow to face Glasgow Clan at the Braehead Arena (5pm), before returning home to host Fife Flyers on Tuesday night (7:30pm).

The game - which is sponsored by First Title Insurance - will be another huge night in Nottingham in the push for a playoff place.

🎟 NEXT AT HOME: TUES 12TH MARCH v FIFE FLYERS - BUY TICKETS HERE 🎟