Panthers edge out Storm in shootout

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers and Manchester Storm went all the way on opening night, with the Panthers eventually securing a Challenge Cup win in a shootout.

It was all action in the opening period at the Motorpoint Arena, with four goals shared between the teams in just over 12 minutes. Miika Pitkanen put the Panthers ahead just under three minutes into the game after a defensive mix-up by the Storm, but a Stephen Johnson breakaway finish at 5:31 levelled the scores.

Tim MacGauley then netted from a tight angle to open his account and put the Storm ahead at 7:59, although Benjamin Corbeil levelled the game at 12:07 to cap an explosive start.

“It felt good to start like that! The other guys out there helped me a lot tonight,” said two-goal hero Corbeil. “It was hot out there, but that's the same for both teams and isn't any excuse.

“Our goalie played really well, was big in net and stopped everything in the shootout. I think we got better as the game went on and we’ll be ready for tomorrow.”

In an even second period, both sides saw shots come off the iron as neither team were able to go ahead. Towards the end of the period, Mat Robson’s skate save prevented the Storm from taking a lead into the break.

The Panthers went ahead 66 seconds into the third, thanks to a pass from Zach O’Brien being fired into the net by Corbeil on the powerplay. However, Storm were level a little over four minutes later when Bradley Jenion’s shot through traffic ended up beating Robson through a deflection off Joe Hazeldine.

“They created a lot of chances against us, but we played a good game here,” said Anton Karlsson. “We see some good things coming in this team, and 3-3 in Nottingham is not a bad result.

“It was a tight game and, I think, very fun for the crowd.”

Neither side was able to win it in regulation and took a point. Both sides were a little cautious in overtime, with no goals, resulting in a shootout.

Tim Doherty scored the only goal of it, in the first round, as Robson stopped all of Storm’s attempts to take the extra point.