Baillargeon scores only goal as Carr shuts out Blaze

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Kevin Carr stopped all 46 shots he faced to help the Nottingham Panthers to a one-goal, shutout victory over the Coventry Blaze at the Skydome.

In front of a healthy 2,452 crowd in Coventry, the sides were scoreless through 20 minutes despite chances at both ends, with both Carr and CJ Motte especially pulling off a string of fine saves to keep the teams level.

The Blaze hit the pipes three times over the course of the 60 minutes, , but fell behind shortly after failing to convert on their third powerplay of the game. Robbie Baillargeon put the Panthers ahead with what would turn out to be the game-winner at 30:42, deflecting the puck past Motte at the back post from a Matthew Lane pass. 

Lane and Dane Gibson dropped the gloves 22 seconds later after a low, late hit from Massimo Carozza who took a boarding minor on the same play. 

Coventry had two powerplays to try and tie the game in period three, but a sprawling Carr made several last-ditch saves to keep them out. With Motte pulled for the extra skater, the Blaze against kept the pressure on the Panthers' net, but a turnover forced Janne Laakkonen into taking a tripping penalty on the offensive blue line which made their cause somewhat harder, and allowed Nottingham to hold on for their third straight win.