Bloor helps Panthers into Cup Quarter-Finals, Storm eliminated

Photo: Panthers Images

Matthew Bloor celebrated his 18th birthday by by entering the Panthers net with only 11:35 played on Sunday afternoon at the Motorpoint Arena, and backstopping his team to a crucial win in the Viaplay Challenge Cup.

With the home side two up thanks to early goals from JC Brassard and David Levin, Bloor was called into action to replace the injured Alex Dubeau inside 12 minutes. The home side went into the first intermission ahead and added a third 1:41 into period two thanks to another birthday boy in the form of Matt Myers. When Mike Hammond followed up 37 seconds later, the home side were looking comfortable. Ciaran Long finally beat Bloor at 25:45, although Myers scored just under ten minutes later to put the home side back four ahead. Scott Simmonds got the visitors' second with 4:40 to go in the period. 

Jesper Ohrvall brought Storm back to within two with a powerplay goal 27 seconds into period three, but it took until the final minute for the visitors to get close to drawing level. Anthony DeLuca picked up the rebound of Dallas Ehrhardt's shot off his knees to make it 5-4 with 55 seconds to go, but Bloor stood up well to late pressure and earned his first professional win.

The result ensured the Panthers advanced to the Quarter-Finals of the cup, along with Guildford Flames. Manchester are eliminated.