Sat 6 Apr 2024 - 9:30PM

PANTHERS STORM TO VICTORY TO KEEP PLAYOFF DREAM ALIVE

🎟 NEXT AT HOME: TOMORROW (SUNDAY) v STORM (4PM) - BUY TICKETS HERE 🎟

The Nottingham Panthers secured a vital two points with an outstanding road performance to win 4-2 at Manchester Storm.

It sets-up a dramatic final day with Panthers still in the hunt for one of the final spots for the end-of-season playoffs.

Panthers welcomed back defenceman Carl Neill from injury and forward Westin Michaud returned after missing Monday's game against Glasgow.

Jake Ryczek and Logan Neilson both missed-out through injury. Rok Stojanovic got the start in goal with Luca Sheldon as back-up.

Paré and McGurty give Panthers first-period advantage
Panthers took an early lead when Félix Paré picked-up the puck on the right and ripped a shot across Evan Weninger (2:12).

Michaud, Didrik Henbrant and Anthony Luciani had chances for Nottingham while at the other end, Dallas Ehrhardt's wrist-shot from the bluline was saved by Stojanovic.

Ehrhardt then hit the pipes before Cam Critchlow equalised for the hosts with a low shot past Stojanovic (17:53).

Myles McGurty collected a cross-ice pass from Carl Neill and rifled it into the corner to give Panthers the advantage at the first intermission (19:36).

Paré and Henbrant extend Panthers lead
Mathieu Lemay fed Paré for a one-timer to score his second of the night (22:11), before Henbrant tipped-in Joe Hazeldine's floated shot for Nottingham's fourth (27:09).

Mitch Martan put a backhand shot over the bar and Stojanovic stopped Critchlow's wraparound attempt as Panthers ended the second period with a three-goal advantage.

Panthers secure huge two points
Stojanovic made a huge stop to deny Stephen Johnson early in the third period as Storm made a solid start after the break.

Alexander Lunsjö was denied on the powerplay while Nieminen and Ollie Betteridge also went close.

Raymond Bryce scored from the Storm from close-range in the the final minute (59:26), but it didn't matter as Panthers had done more than enough to secure a vital two points.

Huge game tomorrow at Motorpoint Arena
Panthers and Manchester meet again tomorrow at the Motorpoint Arena (4pm face-off) - a game sponsored by Just Schoolwear.

The only around 500 tickets left in the bowl for the biggest game of the season as Panthers push for one of the final playoff spots.

Victory for the Panthers tomorrow and defeats for two of Coventry, Glasgow or Dundee would see a top-eight finish secured and a place in the end-of-season playoffs.

🎟 NEXT AT HOME: TOMORROW (SUNDAY) v STORM (4PM) - BUY TICKETS HERE 🎟