Herr turns things around for Panthers

Photos: Panthers Images

A captain's performance from Sam Herr helped Nottingham come from behind twice before beating Coventry 5-4 in overtime.

The Panthers took an early advantage in the first game of this series between the sides between Christmas and New Year – Julian Talbot drove the net as other players changed and beat CJ Motte top shelf with only 1:50 played. Coventry didn’t need much time to draw level however, Andrew Johnston throwing the puck to the net and Luke Ferrara deflecting it past Kevin Carr with 4:18 on the board.

A good powerplay saw the Blaze take the lead in period two, the goal credited to Matt Pohlkamp who deflected in front of the net. Having then played shorthanded Coventry went into a 3-1 lead at 33:31, Luke Ferrara coming straight out of the penalty box and slotting past Carr after the Blaze kill stood strong. Nottingham, however, levelled things up in the third period. Herr got his first of the night at 51:13, and then after Coventry's defenseman saw his stick break on the offensive blueline Jake Hansen skared through to set up Herr for the tying goal 48 seconds later. 

That wasn't the end of the period's scoring though. Luke Ferrara finished from a tight angle on the powerplay with 2:18 to go to put the Blaze back ahead. With Chris Pohlkamp sitting a Delay of Game penalty for shooting the puck over the defensive zone glass the Panthers tied things up as Herr's bullet form the slot went past Mette with 46 seconds left. 

In overtime both sides had chances, but it was Herr who scored the winner, and his fourth of the night, 32 seconds into extra time.

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