Panthers v Blaze

Match Report

A crowd of over 6,000 watched Nottingham Panthers beat Midlands rivals Coventry Blaze 5-2 at the Motorpoint Arena in the Elite League on Saturday night.

There were five different goalscorers as Panthers secured a three-point weekend following Friday night's point against Belfast Giants.

Kevin Carr got the the start between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up, but Matt Marcinew remained out of the line-up for personal reasons.

Henbrant and Pearson on target in first period
After Carr made good saves to deny Grayson Constable twice on the same shift, the game sparked into life with two goals in 14 seconds.

Didrik Henbrant cut along the blueline and fired past Mat Robson from left-point (04:39), before the visitors equalised through Matthew Gleason's defleted shot (04:53).

Panthers went ahead for a second time with a beautifully-worked goal on the powerplay as Brendan Harris found Didrik Henbrant to set-up Chase Pearson at the backdoor (12:04).

Fossier on target before Blaze close gap
A perfect feed from Matt Alfaro found Mitch Fossier to score a one-timer from the right-circle to make it 3-1 to the Panthers (21:33).

Blaze hit back again when Connor Russell's shot was deflected past Carr by Grayson Constable (25:31).

A superb bit of skill from Harris created a chance for Pearson and at the other end, Carr made two big saves as the period came to a close.

Harris and Armour goals secure two points
Harris won a loose puck and cut across the slot before firing into the left-hand corner to score Panthers' fourth (40:39).

David Noël's shot was redirected past Mat Robson by Ross Armour as Panthers made it 5-2 on the powerplay (50:45).

The crowd roared for the closing stages as Panthers secured a vital two points in the Elite League.