Devils and Panthers all square after first leg

Photos: David Williams/Helen Brabon

Cardiff Devils and Nottingham Panthers will start all square in next week's second leg after sharing ten goals in an entertaining game at the Viola Arena.

Joey Haddad scored the game's opening goal on the powerplay at 7:59, and in truth the Devils would have been disappointed to end the period only a goal up. 

The Panthers however made their hosts pay with a dominating display in the second. Oli Betteridge levelled the game 2:10 into the middle frame, and by 27:05 the Panthers led thanks to Jake Hansen crashing a shot past Ben Bowns from the faceoff circle. The Devils were then caught out upfront as Josh Tetlow set Brett Perlini through on the breakaway to make it 3-1 with only 28:19 on the clock.

Masi Marjamaki got the Devils back into the game 1:20 into the final period, and then the hosts made use of a powerplay with returning captain Joey Martin getting the goal to tie things up at 43:34. Betteridge struck again from a tight angle to put the Panthers 4-3 ahead at 48:13, but just over two minutes later Blair Riley levelled the scores again. A nice finish from Matt Pope then put the home side ahead, but with 66 seconds to go Julian Talbot ensured the game would end a draw.

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