Panthers take first leg advantage

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers, the lowest seeds in this season's Viaplay Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals, will take a one-goal advantage into the second leg in Belfast in January thanks to a 3-2 home win at the Motorpoint Arena.

The Panthers had to do it the hard way, coming from two goals and only tying things up in the final period. Steven Owre opened the scoring with a powerplay goal 10 seconds before the end of period one, tipping Scott Conway's shot past Alex Dubeau.

Darik Angeli doubled the visitors' lead on a 2-on-1 rush when he looked to pass but eventually let a wrist shot fly past Dubeau. The Panthers though they'd scored with 9:37 left in the middle period, but the play was whistled for the puck not crossing the line under Jackson Whistle's foot. However, Jeremy Welsh did get the Panthers on the board shortly after to half the deficit.

Welsh scored his second of the game with a slapshot that rocketed past Whistle with 45:07 played. Five minutes later, on the powerplay, Brett Welychka came in at the back post to fire home and put the Panthers ahead.

Dubeau pulled off an excellent glove save late in period three to ensure the hosts held on for the one-goal win.