Wed 18 Mar 2026 - 11:00PM

PANTHERS WIN 2026 CHALLENGE CUP FINAL

Didrik Henbrant scored the overtime winner as Nottingham Panthers beat Coventry Blaze 3-2 to win the 2026 Challenge Cup Final.

Memories of the playoff final win over Cardiff Devils in April came flooding back as Panthers once again secured major silverware in overtime.

In another game full of drama, Panthers came from behind to lead 2-1 before the Blaze forced the extra period with a powerplay goal in the third session.

No goals in tense first period
It was a tight opening 10 minutes with few clear-cut chances but Kevin Carr made two good close-range saves to deny Adam Robbins and Grant Mismash.

At the other end, Jordan Kelsall and Tim Doherty were denied by Mat Robson in quick succession.

Fossier equalises for Panthers
Blaze made the perfect start to the second period as moments after Alessio Luciani hit the pipes, Michael Pelech scored from the right-circle (22:56).

Mismash found space left-hand side but saw his shot saved by Carr while at the other end, Matt Spencer's shot was saved by Robson.

Panthers equalised when Josh Tetlow's shot was tipped past Robson by Mitch Fossier (34:31).

Stridsberg scores but Blaze force overtime
Carr made a huge close-range stop on Luciani early in the third session, before Chase Pearson set-up Jakob Stridsberg for a bullet of a shot from left-point to put Panthers ahead (46:35).

Blaze equalised on the powerplay as Grayson Constable fed Elijiah Barriga on the doorstep who made a neat move to beat Carr (51:56).

Henbrant wins it in overtime
​Overtime saw Carr twice deny Blaze from close-range before Henbrant - in his third season with the club - sent the Panthers crowd wild.

Set-up by a great build-up play from Fossier and Bryan Lemos, Henbrant went top-shelf to help secure another trophy for Danny Stewart's side.