Four-point weekend for Panthers

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers logged a four-point weekend with their second home win in udner 24 hours, beating Manchester Storm 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.

The 5,846-strong crowd at the Utilita Arena had a lot to get through in the opening 20 minutes which the Panthers finished one ahead in. The hosts thought they'd gone ahead at 12:14 only for Mike Flanagan to challenge it from the Storm bench for goalie interference - the officials agreed and chalked the goal off. Nottingham did go ahead, however, just 38 seconds later as Matt Alfaro won the puck on his own blue line and skated through to beat Evan Weninger on the breakaway.

In a period that had already seen a good numnber of coincidental minors for scrums after whistles, Loren Ulett was ejected with 53 seconds left for boarding. Panthers captain Sam Herr made it 2-0 with 39 seconds remaining in the period.

3:43 into period two, on the same powerplay, good work from Alfaro set up Logan Neilson in front - with Mitchell Fossier putting home the rebound to make it 3-0. 

33 seconds later, Didrik Henbrant stretched around Weninger to make it 4-0 just as the Storm had come back to full strength.

27 seconds into period three, Panthers goalie Ryan Bednard was ejected for spearing, meaning Hunter Vorvoa took over netminding duties for the home side. CJ Garcia got the Storm on the board with 5:21 to play, but that was where the scoring ended.