Sun 26 Mar 2023 - 7:58PM
MATCH REPORT: COVENTRY 7-4 PANTHERS
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The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 7-4 on-the-road at Coventry Blaze in the Viaplay Elite League on Sunday.
Peyton Jones started between the pipes for the second successive night with Luca Sheldon as back-up, while Alex Dubeau and Fabrizio Ricci were the scratches.
Panthers were without Luke Ferrara who remains out of action because of injury and Jack Hopkins was icing for NIHL side Milton Keynes Lightning.
Welsh on target but Blaze lead at first intermission.
In an end-to-end first period, Tanner Sorenson was denied by Rajna when he broke clear after stealing the puck in the offensive zone and at the other end, Jones made saves on John Curran, Colton Yellow Horn and Marly Quince.
Blaze went ahead through Curran's excellent finish on the breakaway (13:59), but Panthers hit straight back 25 seconds later as great skill by David Levin set-up Jeremy Welsh to tap home on the doorstep (14:24).
The hosts scored twice in under two minutes to take a two-goal advantage at the first intermission, as J.D. Dudek's pass to the backdoor was turned in by Mitch Cook (17:19) and a shot from right point by David Clements deflected high past Jones (19:10).
Levin scores on powerplay but Blaze keep two-goal advantage
Chances were at premium in the second period but Kelly Summers had a shot from right point easily held by Rajna, while Stephen Anderson was denied from the right circle.
JC Brassard had three shots saved in quick succession but moments later Blaze scored their fourth as Jack Billings' one-timer from the left circle went in off the left-hand post (30:26).
Nottingham scored on a four-minute powerplay when Levin reacted first to a loose puck to fire high past Rajna to cut the deficit to two (34:44).
Levin leads Nottingham comeback but Blaze take the two points
Levin scored his second powerplay goal of the night as he beat two Blaze defenceman to fire low past Rajna (47:40), but Coventry hit back within eight seconds when Curran cut inside from the right and his pass across goal was deflected past Jones off a Panthers defenceman (47:48).
Jakub Izacky broke into the offensive zone and his clever backhand pass found Matthew Myers who went top shelf off the crossbar to close the gap to one (50:27).
But any hopes of a Nottingham comeback were ended when Ross Venus broke clear and rounded Jones for Coventry's sixth (53:42), while Alex Forbes put the seal on the win for Coventry shooting from his own zone for an empty-net goal after Panthers had lifted Jones for the extra skater (59:36).
Manchester back-to-back to finish regular season
Panthers complete their regular season next weekend with back-to-back Viaplay Elite League matches against Manchester Storm.
The two sides meet in Altrincham on Friday night before a match-up at the Motorpoint Arena on Saturday (7pm face-off).
Tickets are selling really well for the game on Saturday with over two-thirds of the bowl already sold, so you are advised to purchase tickets as soon as possible.
