Panthers secure fourth with big home win

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers ensured they'll finish fourth in the 2021/22 Premier Sports Elite League regular season with an emphatic 9-1 victory over Coventry Blaze at the Motorpoint Arena.

James Downie started in net for the Panthers but had very little to do in the opening period as his new side ran in three first-period goals. Jeremy Welsh opened the scoring 4:10 into the game on a rebound from Massimo Carozza's shot, and that was doubled when Matt Lane poked home at 11:35 on the powerplay. Robbie Baillargeon converted off an excellent Josh Tetlow feed to make it 3-0 with just under five minutes left in the first period.

The Panthers well and truly took over in the second Quick goals form Christophe Boivin and Welsh at 22:19 and 24:47 respectively put them 5-0 ahead and forced Blaze Head coach Danny Stewart to swap Jordan Hedley into the net for CJ Motte. Less than three minutes later, Boivin made it 6-0, promoting Stewart to call a timeout. 

Goals from Lane and Kevin Massy extended the home side's lead to 8-0 after 40 minutes.

The highlight of period three was undoubtedly 17-year-old Jack Hopkins scoring his first professional goal with a nice tip on Brady Norrish's throw at the net for the Panthers' ninth of the evening. Evan Bloodoff added a consolation for the Blaze with 8:30 to play to end Downie's hopes of a perfect shutout start.