Statement win puts Panthers into second

Photo: James Assinder

Nottingham Panthers put themselves right back into the league title race with a 3-2 win in Cardiff at a sold-out Vindico Arena, moving themselves into second place in the Elite League standings. It was their first win of the season in Wales.

“We’re coming! I think we’ve got one of, if not the, best record over the last 25 games or so, and we’re confident,” said captain Sam Herr on his side moving into second and leading the chase behind leaders Belfast Giants. "I think we had a gameplan tonight and we knew how to execute in the offensive zone to take out chances. 

“I think in the other games we’ve played in Cardiff this season we’ve fallen apart in the third period and the games have got away from us, but we kept focus, found our spots and kept moving the puck the way we wanted to."

Period one at the Vindico Arena, Nottingham’s Jason Grande put up a great display of his skills as he denied all of Cardiff’s offensive attempts including multiple 2-on-1 situations. However, at the other end of the ice, the Panthers were able to find an opener when Sam Herr's slapshot beat Mac Carruth 11:30 into the periods. The Panthers were deserved leaders at the break with the Devils often opting for a pass to many on their chances.

A chaotic second period saw Matthew Alfaro provide Cardiff with a powerplay following a high-sticking call. However, this was cut short after approximately 30 seconds after a Gleason Fournier interference call resulted in a 4-on-4 situation on the ice. Later in the period, Alfaro’s penalty list was extended, after the forward received yet another high-sticking call, however this time with only 30 seconds left of the period. Nottingham were able to keep the score 1-0 as the second period ended.

Period three was crazy. The Devils finally got level of another high-sticking penalty which saw Reid Stefanson take a double-minor - Josh MacDonald set up Joey Martin for the one-timer to tie the game at 47:31. The Panthers were back in front less than three minutes later with an excellent finish from Logan Neilson at 51:19, but that lead lasted only 21 seconds until Zach O'Brien tied things up again. 

The Devils then got caught trying to rush up the ice and fell back behind. A Mitch Fossier pass to the wing set up Sam Herr for a wonderful one-timer to put the Panthers back ahead with 4:59 to play.

"Fossier made a great play at the end there for that game-winner," added Herr. "On both of the goals I got we had bodies in front, that takes everybody."

Caruth was pulled with ten minutes to go, and again with 1:16 left, but the Devils couldn't test Grande before the final buzzer and fell to a second straight home defeat.