Sat 3 Sep 2022 - 9:25PM

ALADDIN CUP: PANTHERS 2-4 DEVILS

A late comeback proved in vain as The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 4-2 at home by Cardiff Devils in game one of the Aladdin Cup.

Panthers were without forward Tanner Sorenson who picked up an injury midweek against Coventry.

Alex Dubeau was given the start in the Nottingham goal opposite Taran Kozun who got the nod for the Devils.

No goals in the first period
​Panthers controlled the early stages with some half-chances but at the other end, Dubeau had to be alert to make a good stop from Trevor Cox.

Duggie Lagrone and Matthew Myers had great chances on the same shift, while Jordan Kelsall went close short-handed, before Dubeau denied Cardiff with a superb save from Cole Sanford's shot at the backdoor.

Cox gives Devils second-period lead
Panthers had the first chance of the second session as Myers fed Luke Ferrara in the slot but he shot just wide.

The visitors took the lead at 32:00 when Mark Richardson's shot from right point was deflected past Dubeau by Cox.

Panthers third-period comeback proves in vain
Cox scored his second of the night with a superb finish as he cut inside from the left (41:51) and Josh Brittain netted from close range after a well-worked Cardiff move (42:29) for two goals in 38 seconds.

The post denied Cox a hat-trick before Cardiff had a goal disallowed after the puck was kicked in by Brodie Reid.

Sanford scored Cardiff's fourth when he did well to keep the puck in the zone and beat Dubeau through the five-hole (49:36).

Panthers got on the board as Kelsall drove in a rebound from close range for his second goal in as many matches (50:42).

Coach Gary Graham lifted Dubeau with just over four minutes remaining to go six-on-five and it paid dividends as JC Brassard and Ferrara combined to set-up Andrew Johnston in the slot (56:57).

Hammond hit the bar in the closing stages but Devils stayed firm to take game one.

Click here to see action shots from Panthers Images.

Game two takes place in Wales tomorrow at 16:00. Click here to buy the webcast.

You could win the shirt off the back of Matthew Myers tomorrow. Click here to enter the raffle - tickets are £1 each.