Panthers take late win over Blaze

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers got an important Challenge Cup win to put themselves back amongst it for progression to the next round with a 4-3 home win over Coventry Blaze.

An early breakaway chance for Brandon Fratteroli was the first opportunity of the game, but the scores stayed level.

Artem Buzoverya opened the scoring at 13:30 on the powerplay, when he one-timed Jaxson Ezman's pass past former Blaze goalie Mat Robson. Nottingham levelled the game when Jordan Kelsall set up Darick Louis-Jean for the finish in front after a defensive mistake by Andrew Nielsen.

Max Grondin had a good chance at the start of period two after a turnover in the Blaze's end, but Sisu Heikkeri was equal to the shot. A William Boysen advance was shut down by Joe Hazeldine as the Blaze threatened at the other end.

The Panthers went ahead for the first time in the game when Hazeldine did it all himself at 28:59, but 31 seconds later an Ezman pass resulted in a brilliant finish from Brett Perlini to tie the game. Griffin Ness went top shelf to put the Blaze ahead at 34:23, but the Blaze were caught on a 4-on-2 the other way with 1:42 left in the period, which saw captain Matt Alfaro find Ben Corbeil for a nice finish to tie the game again.

“It was a tight game, Coventry lingered around but I would like to say we were in control of it and it was nice to finish with a win,” said Hazeldine after the game. “We can all play with each other on the back end, we all skate very well and everyone gets on very well - long may it continue.”

The Panthers scored the only goal of the third period on the powerplay. Down low, Chase Pearson went for a wraparound that was saved by Robson, but Zach O'Brien knocked in the rebound at 51:43, which proved to be the game-winner.