Panthers defeated in Continental Cup opener

Photo: Panthers Images

In Nottingham Panthers are to win the Continental Cup again then they'll have done it the hard way after losing to Denmark's SønderjyskE Ishockey in their opening game on Friday evening.

In what was an incredibly tight game, the Panthers left after two periods thanks to a goal credited to Brian Connelly at 38:29 - he got the final Panthers' touch before a SønderjyskE defenseman gloved the puck into his own net.

The hosts pressed hard for an equaliser in the third and were eventually rewarded when MacGregor Sharp's shot hit the goal frame but Steffen Frank was on home to burry the rebound with just over three minutes to play.

The teams couldn't be separated in regulation or overtime, where Jake Hansen had the chance to win it for the Panthers on a breakaway, and so a shootout followed which the Panthers lost 2-0 in four rounds.