Panthers v Storm

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers were beaten 6-3 at home by Manchester Storm in the Challenge Cup on Saturday night.

Chase Pearson and Matt Alfaro missed the game through injury. Jason Grande started between the pipes with Kevin Carr as back-up.

Harris on target for Panthers in 1-1 first period
Matt Marcinew won the battle on the wall behind the net and fed Brendan Harris in the slot to give Panthers an early lead (02:37).

Grande made a big save to deny Stephen Johnson but Storm equalised when Brendon Clavelle's shot towards net was tipped by Gary Haden (06:06).

Harrison Caines was superbly denied by Grande on a breakaway as Storm finished the period the stronger.

Storm lead by two at second intermission
Haden scored a rebound from left-circle (28:31) to put Manchester ahead again, before Jarad Hilderman set-up David Noël who ripped a one-timer from right-point (30:33).

Mitch Fossier and Zsombor Garát went close in quick succession, but the Storm went to the second intermission with a two-goal advantage.

Brady Gilmour's superb individual goal (32:53) was followed by Chase Harrison's close-range shot from the slot (37:25).

Storm secure the two points
Carr replaced Grande for the start of the third period and Panthers made a strong start with Fossier going close twice on the same shift.

A deflected pass by Bryan Lemos fell into the path of Fossier who made it a one-goal game with a neat finish from the slot (52:42).

Kaleb Ergang put away his own rebound for Storm's fifth goal under two minutes later (54:17).

Panthers lifted Carr for the extra outskater in the final three minutes and Manchester sealed their win through Joseph Nardi's empty-net goal (59:09).