31 Dec 2024, 16:00 | Regular season | Motorpoint Arena Nottingham |
Nottingham Panthers | 9-2 | Coventry Blaze |
Periods: Shots: | 3-0 (16-5) | 3-0 (11-10) | 3-2 (14-7) | Total: 41-22 |
|
Referees: #9 Joe Sewell, #3 Tom Pering  |  Spectators: 6869 |
  |
Goals and assists
Three goals in each period secured a huge New Year’s Eve victory for
Nottingham Panthers, beating Coventry Blaze 9-1 at a sold-out Motorpoint
Arena.
The game was effectively won in just over six first-period
minutes as the Panthers took full control. On a powerplay, the puck was
worked by Mitchell Fossier and Matt Alfaro to Kristof Kontos at the far
post to open the scoring. 44 seconds later, Didrik Henbrant burst down
the wing and did exactly what we've come to expect of him - sniping high
into the top corner to double the lead. Hugo Roy got on the end of a
Matt Spencer feed at 15:13 to make it 3-0 with the Blaze somewhat
stunned.
Just 20 seconds into period two, Matt Spencer was left in space
in the slot and picked his spot to beat Mat Robson and extend the lead
further. The second period saw Greyson Constable given a major penalty
for boarding on Jaakko Niskala which saw him leave the game through
injury. Just over five minutes later, Jordan Kelsall was ejected for a
high Cross-Check, but his team would go on to score two more before the
intermission. Otto Nieminen snapped a shot in tight from close range to
make it 5-0 at 37:04, while 74 seconds before the buzzer Henbrant added
the home side's sixth.
Again the Panthers started early, making it 7-0 through Henbrant
43 seconds into period three to complete his hat trick. Hugo Roy netted
55 seconds later to make it eight on the night for Danny Stewart's team,
although an excellent breakaway finish from Chase Gresock got Coventry
on the board at 49:09. That goal, breaking Ryan Bednard's shutout saw
the Panthers goalie replaced by Jason Grande. Otto Nieminen finished
well to make it 9-1 at 55:53, while Nick Seitz scored the final goal of
the game after an excellent pass from Mike Regush.