EIHL Game Day Summary: Devils 3 Panthers 5

by UK American Sports Fans

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After a very physical battle at the Big Blue Tent, the Nottingham Panthers edged the Cardiff Devils 5-3 in a Challenge Cup victory. This win firmly puts the Panthers at the top of their Cup Group, with 4 wins out of 4.

The Devils, who had a heavy loss the previous night in Dundee, were keen to get a win in front of the home crowd against a strong Panthers team. Greg Blais was in nets for the Devils and after a shaky start, settled down to make excellent saves from a offensive Nottingham pack.

It was the home team that were first to get onto the board with a shot from Matthew Myers. This match was the first time the Cardiff born forward had faced his previous team in Devils colours, putting on a grand display for the red army, and he was rewarded with a powerplay goal at 5:53.

A minute later, Leigh Salters dropped the gloves with Brad Plumton at centre ice; however in the following minutes, it was the Panthers who took the lead with 2 quick goals. Defenceman Jonathan Weaver was the first to get his team on the board at 8:08, with Lynn Loyns getting the go ahead goal, with a short handed strike just over a minute later.

Leigh Salters scored on the Powerplay at 14:01 to give his team a 3-1 lead, however the Devils pulled one back with a delayed penalty goal from Mark Richardson. The English defenceman was tremendous for the Devils and fully deserved his Man of the Match award.

Into the second and the Panthers were to score again, with a strike from Chris Caparo to put his team 4-2 ahead. The Devils pressed on, striving hard to gain another goal to get back into the match; and it was once again Matthew Myers who took control and scored his second powerplay goal of the night, against an in form Craig Kowalski.

In the third and final session, Nottingham’s Brent Henley was thrown out of the match with a 5+game for butt ending, however the Devils couldn’t take advantage of the 5 minute Powerplay, as the score remained 4-3. At 57:15, Tom Norton scored his first of the season in Panthers colours, to seal the win for Nottingham and ensured they took home the 2 points.