Storm v Panthers

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers were beaten 5-1 on the road at Manchester Storm in the Elite League on Saturday night.

Jason Grande started between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up. Matt Marcinew remained out with injury while Kevin Carr and Jarod Hilderman were the healthy scratches.

Storm score four in first period
The hosts scored twice in 12 seconds as Gary Haden's one-timer from the right-circle on the powerplay (11:33) was followed by Brandon Cutler beating Grande with a neat move from close-range (11:45).

Brady Gilmour's five-on-three powerplay goal from the right-circle (16:12) made it 3-0 and Kaleb Ergang walked in to the slot on the man-advantage to make it four just 33 seconds later (16:45).

Doherty reduces the deficit
Grande made a good pad save to deny Loren Ulett's shot as Manchester went in search of a fifth goal.

Panthers went close through Brendan Harris and Didrik Henbrant before Tim Doherty's top-shelf finish from the left-circle on the powerplay reduced the arrears (33:04).

Storm secure their victory with empty-netter
Panthers had most of the possession in the third period with chances for Doherty, Chase Pearson and Bryan Lemos.

But Storm put the seal on their win with Nick Welsh's empty-net goal from his own zone (55:25).