Wed 31 Aug 2022 - 9:49PM
PRE-SEASON: BLAZE 1-4 PANTHERS
The Nottingham Panthers beat Coventry Blaze 4-1 at the Skydome in their third game of pre-season.
Mike Hammond scored twice while netminder Alex Dubeau was given his second start of the season in goal.
Kelsall and Brassard give Panthers first-period lead
Panthers took an early lead as Craig Moore's deflected pass found Jordan Kelsall, who broke into the zone and produced a superb shot across the body of Paavo Hosla (2:16).
Coventry hit the pipes through Jack Billings moments after a powerplay, while Dubeau produced a point-blank save from Johnny Curran.
Nottingham made it 2-0 on a five-on-three powerplay as Luke Ferrara - against his former club - fed JC Brassard for a one-timer from the slot (13:57).
Hammond's brace increases Nottingham lead
Panthers made a quick start to the second session when Hammond created room for himself on the left wing, cut inside and fired home from the top of the left circle (20:56).
Dubeau made a huge stop to deny Billings on a breakaway, before a well-worked goal increased Nottingham's lead to four.
Brett Welychka and Adam Brady combined to set up a three-on-two and Hammond, who was the trailling man, rounded Hosla with ease (31:42).
Curran breaks Dubeau shutout late in third period
Dubeau made two successive excellent point-blank saves as the Blaze pushed to get on the board in the early stages of the third period.
But his shutout was broken on a Blaze powerplay as a nice move saw Curran score at the backdoor (54:11).
After Nathanael Halbert tripped Dubeau, a mini brawl broke out in the closing stages which saw the Panthers netminder given a game misconduct for illegal equipment.
Jack Berry was called into action for the final five minutes and made a couple of good saves on the Blaze powerplay.
Panthers back in action at home on Saturday
The Panthers are straight back into action on Saturday as they host Cardiff Devils in the Aladdin Cup at the Motorpoint Arena (19:00).
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Photo credit: Andy Burnham.