Wed 31 Aug 2022 - 07:30AM

PANTHERS OFF TO COVENTRY TONIGHT

There's more pre-season action for The Nottingham Panthers this evening with a trip to the Skydome to face Coventry Blaze (19:30).

Gary Graham has a full roster to choose from for the third game of a busy five-match pre-season schedule.

Luke Ferrara, who scored 192 points in 248 games during a five-year spell with the Blaze, makes his first return to the Skydome since leaving in the summer.

Meanwhile, Canadian forward Andrew Johnston scored 21 goals and contributed 29 assists for Coventry in the 2019-20 season cut short by the pandemic.

"It will be interesting to be on the other side of it," said Johnston.

"It will be good to get back in the Skydome and see some old friends, but hopefully we can secure a win there."

After tonight in Coventry, Panthers return home to host Cardiff on Saturday in the Aladdin Cup.

There were over 5,000 in the building for last weekend's pre-season opener against Sheffield Steelers and Johnston was blown away by the support.

"I was amazed, I did not expect that kind of crowd for a pre-season game," continued Johnston.

"When I played in Nottingham with Coventry it was always sold out and I loved the rink.

"I always thought I wanted to play here but that support on Saturday was amazing.

"If we can build on that throughout the season that would be brilliant."

Click here to listen to Andrew Johnston on Panthers Radio with Xynomix.

Buy your tickets for Panthers against Cardiff on Saturday by clicking here.

Photo credit: Scott Wiggins.