Sat 25 Feb 2023 - 9:29PM
FINAL SCORE: PANTHERS 3-1 DEVILS
The Nottingham Panthers produced a superb performance to beat Cardiff Devils 3-1 at the Motorpoint Arena in the Viaplay Elite League on Saturday night.
Peyton Jones started between the pipes with Alex Dubeau as back-up, but Panthers were without forwards Adam Brady and Jeremy Welsh.
New signing Jakub Izacky made his debut after signing for the Panthers last week.
Jones made an outstanding early pad save to deny Joey Martin at the backdoor, while Nottingham defenceman Mathieu Gagnon got the better of a great tilt with Cardiff's Mark Louis.
Tanner Sorenson hit the post on a powerplay before Jordan Kelsall scored on the breakaway with an absolute beauty of a move on Ben Bowns to put Panthers ahead (6:20).
The Devils equalised when Trevor Cox's pass across goal was deflected past Jones (25:14), who then made a brilliant save to stop Jake Coughler.
Mike Hammond and Mike Caruso combined superbly to set-up Niko Lahtinen who went short-side to put Panthers 2-1 ahead.
Izacky got his first point as a Panther when he set-up David Levin for a goal of the season contender, as he drove the net and went through his own legs into the top corner (48:16).
Devils pulled Bowns for an extra outskater in the closing stages, but Panthers saw the game out for a huge two points.
Click here to see a photo gallery of the game from Panthers Images.
Back at home tomorrow with Dundee in town
It's part two of a home double-header weekend tomorrow as Dundee Stars visit the Motorpoint Arena (4pm).