Panthers v Devils

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers beat Cardiff Devils 5-4 in a pulsating match at the Motorpoint Arena.

Eighteen-year-old Nottingham-born forward Theo Thomas - who was called up from the Lions - made his Panthers debut. There was also a first appearance for Canadian defenceman Gordie Ballhorn who arrived in Nottingham earlier this week.

Darick Louis-Jean missed out after a late physical test, while 20-year Henry Newell kept his place on the blueline. Zach O'Brien was unavailable because of a prior family commitment. Mat Robson started between the pipes with Kai Edmonds as back-up neminder.

Alfaro puts Panthers ahead in first period
Robson made three great saves on an early Devils powerplay before Panthers had chances for Matt Alfaro, Ben Corbeil and Chase Pearson.

Panthers went ahead as the session drew to a close when Alfaro converted a breakaway with a neat finish to beat Christian Stoever (14:37).

Three-goal second period puts Panthers in control
Three goals in under six minutes gave Panthers a commanding lead at the second intermission, which was started by Pearson scoring a rebound on the doorstep on the powerplay (29:56).

Tim Doherty's superb feed set-up Corbeil at the backdoor on the powerplay (33:39), before Spencer Naas netted a beauty through the five-hole on the breakaway (35:37).

Robson made two huge close-range saves to deny the Devils and in a feisty end to the period, Max Grondin dropped the gloves and fought Riley Brandt.

Devils stage fightback but Panthers seal win
Kohen Olischefski scored a fine solo goal which he finished top-shelf to reduce the arrears (42:15), before Cardiff scored again just over two minutes later through Gleason Fournier's one-timer from the high slot on the powerplay (44:27).

Devils continued their comeback when Ryan Barrow buried the puck top-shelf from the slot to make it a one-goal game (47:50).

Doherty and Corbeil combined for Pearson to score on the powerplay from the left-circle for his second of the game (54:11).

Cardiff lifted Stoever for the extra skater in the closing stages and Brandon Estes' top-shelf finish set-up a tense finale (57:47).

But Panthers, who spent the final 54 seconds on the penalty-kill, secured the win on a night of drama at the Motorpoint Arena.