Blaze v Panthers

Match Report

The Nottingham Panthers secured their second win over Coventry Blaze in as many days with a 4-1 victory at the Skydome Arena on Sunday evening.

It means Panthers secured three wins out of four in pre-season action ahead of the start of the regular season next weekend action Manchester Storm.

Netminder Mike Robinson got his second start of the season, turning away 39 of the 40 shots he faced, while Rok Stojanovic was back-up.

British youngster Zaine McKenzie made his first appearance of the campaign but Stephen Anderson was unavailable (family commitments), although he'll return ahead of the start of the new season next weekend.

Michaud and Welsh put Panthers ahead at first intermission
Hugo Roy and Logan Neilson had chances for the Panthers within the opening three minutes while at the other end, Robinson made saves from Brady Norrish and Kim Tallberg.

Carl Neill set-up Westin Michaud at the top of the crease to put Panthers ahead (10:10) and just over three minutes later, Didrik Henbrant used his speed to race clear and feed Tyler Welsh to make it 2-0 at 13:27.

Lunsjö and Henbrant on target as Panthers continue to dominate
Robinson made a good stop to deny Tallberg from close range early in the second period, before Panthers scored their third moments after killing a penalty as Henbrant and Ollie Betteridge combined to set-up Alexander Lunsjö (24:35).

Two former Panthers combined to get the hosts on the board only 11 seconds later with Archie Hazeldine providing the assist for Jack Hopkins to reduce the arrears to two (24:46).

But Panthers soon regained their three-goal advantage when Welsh sent Henbrant clear to slot the puck past Nolan Kent (30:50).

No further goals but Panthers cruise to win
Robinson dealt with two goalmouth scrambles in the opening stages of the third session and Panthers kept pushing for more at the other end, with Kent making a save from Michaud after he'd been set-up by Adam Johnson.

Panthers had a chance to add to their tally with a late five-on-three powerplay inside the final six minutes, but Coventry's penalty-kill stood firm.

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