Sun 30 Oct 2022 - 6:27PM

ELITE LEAGUE: PANTHERS 5-2 DEVILS

The Nottingham Panthers secured two vital Elite League points with a 5-2 victory over Cardiff Devils at the Motorpoint Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Matthew Myers, Stephen Anderson, Brett Welychka and Adam Brady were all on target as Panthers secured their third successive league win.

Netminder Alex Dubeau got the start in goal with Matty Bloor serving as back-up, while Duggie Lagrone (injured reserve) was the only absentee.

Two goals in 22 seconds give Panthers the lead
Tanner Sorenson had an early chance for the Panthers before Josh Waller's short from right wing was well saved by Dubeau.

Nottingham ended the period strongly and great skills from Luke Ferrara set-up Mathieu Gagnon but his shot was saved by Taran Kozun.

Two goals in 22 seconds gave the Panthers a first-period advantage as Myers tipped in Brady's shot on the powerplay (18:41), while Kelly Summers fed Anderson in the slot moments later (19:03).

Welychka and Brady increase Nottingham's advantage
Panthers killed-off two successive penalties, including a short spell of five-on-three, but Devils closed the gap just after their second powerplay had expired when Cole Sanford backhanded the puck past Dubeau seconds after hitting the bar (23:05).

Nottingham restored their two-goal advantage when a superb pass by David Levin fed Welychka and his one-timer from the left circle flew like a bullet past Kozun (28:22).

A patient play by Mike Hammond on the powerplay saw Panthers score their fourth as his pass from right to left was converted by Brady (35:47)

Welychka adds second with empty-net goal
Jeremy Welsh went close short-handed as Panthers went in search of a fifth and at the other end, Dubeau saved well from Trevor Cox.

Welychka grabbed his second into an empty net after Devils had lifted Kozun for the extra skater (58:07).

There was still time for Cardiff to score their second of the night as Brodie Reid fired over Dubeau's shoulder from the right circle (59:49).

Click here to view a full game gallery from Panthers Images.

Panthers off to Wales before hosting Storm next Sunday
Nottingham and Cardiff meet again in the Elite League in Wales on Friday (7:30pm), before Panthers host Manchester Storm at the Motorpoint Arena on Sunday (4pm) in a vital Challenge Cup game with qualification for the knockout stages on the line.

It's Kids for a Quid night with tickets for juniors (12 and under) on sale for £1. Click here to buy Panthers tickets.