Sun 6 Nov 2022 - 7:53PM

CHALLENGE CUP: PANTHERS 5-4 STORM

The Nottingham Panthers booked a place in the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup with a 5-4 victory over Manchester Storm on Sunday afternoon.

Nottingham Lions netminder Matty Bloor - on his 18th birthday - backstopped Panthers to the win after replacing Alex Dubeau who left the ice just past the 10-minute mark with an injury.

Brassard and Levin put Panthers in front at first intermission
Panthers took the lead on a five-on-three powerplay as Luke Ferrara's one-timer from the blueline was saved, but JC Brassard was on hand to pop home the rebound from the left circle (3:41).

The second goal arrived only 64 seconds later when moments after the second powerplay had come to end, David Levin netted from close range for his fourth goal of the season (4:45).

Panthers lost Dubeau to an injury just past the halfway point of the opening period and he was replaced by Bloor for this first senior action.

Myers scores twice as Panthers increase lead
Panthers netted twice in 37 seconds to take a commanding lead, with Brett Welychka setting up Matthew Myers at the backdoor (21:41) and a superb pass from Archie Hazeldine fed Mike Hammond to convert on the doorstep (22:18).

Jesper Ohrvall reduced the arrears for the Storm, scoring with a shot from left point through traffic on the powerplay (25:45).

Bloor made two huge saves in succession including one on a Storm breakaway before Levin - who danced through the Storm defence - saw his shot saved, but Myers popped home a rebound for his second of the night (34:23).

Manchester immediately closed the gap with Scott Simmonds cutting inside from the left to fire the puck over Bloor's shoulder (35:20).

Bloor and Panthers hold firm to confirm cup knockout spot
Storm scored early in the third period on a five-on-three powerplay with Jesper Ohrvall going top shelf at the backdoor (40:27).

Bloor stood firm in the third period with a number of saves as Storm looked to close the gap, before Chays Ruddy netted a consolation goal with a close-range rebound (59:05) when Manchester lifted Hayden Lavigne for the extra skater (59:05).

Click here for a full gallery of the game from Panthers Images. 

Belfast come to Nottingham on Saturday
The Panthers are back at home on Saturday as Belfast Giants make their first visit of the season to the Motorpoint Arena (7pm face-off) in the Elite League.

Click here to buy Panthers tickets.