Panthers End Run With OT Win

Nottingham Panthers 4-3 Manchester Storm *aot (Elite Series) 14.03.21

After three straight defeats, victory tasted good against Manchester Storm but the Panthers made it late with an over time win against the only side in the competition they have already beaten.

Wednesday night was hockey night inside the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham as the Panthers returned to Elite Series action against the Storm.

Jackson Whistle got the start in goal for Nottingham opposite Manchester’s Sean Bonar.

As has become a far to familiar theme in the tournament so far the Panthers found themselves behind early. Scott Simmonds (1.29) tapping in from close range after the Storm broke in two-on-two.

Nottingham killed two minor penalties and had a goal controversially wiped out for high sticks but some solid play from Whistle saw them see out the period without any further incident.

A powerplay just before the halfway mark of the game gave Nottingham a chance to get on the board and they took advantage, Nick Dineen (27.49) tipping home for his first of the competition.

Parity didn’t last long though as Martin Gran (32.33) picked up his own rebound and fired into the Panthers’ goal to send the Storm into the second intermission with a one-goal lead.

It took Nottingham just 35 third period seconds to get back on level terms.

Johno May (40:35) battled hard in front of the net on the powerplay to sweep home a rebound on his backhand to register his first goal of the Elite Series.

Once again though the Storm answered back, Maxime Fortier (47.08) beating his man to the puck and forcing a rebound across the line to restore their lead.

Dominic Talbot-Tassi, all alone at the backdoor, looked destined to score his first professional goal on a late third period powerplay but an outstanding glove save from Sean Bonar denied him to keep the Storm in front.

A face-off win in the offensive zone for the Panthers led to Lewis Hook (55.14) ripping a quick shot over the glove of Bonar to tie the game up for a third time.

Manchester were awarded a powerplay shortly after Hook’s goal but the most notable action around Whistle’s goal was when Nick Dineen and Ben Lake dropped the gloves, the Panthers’ man getting the takedown to end proceedings.

The Panthers killed the penalty and with no further scoring the game went to overtime.

The action game thick and fast in the extra period. Jackson Whistle made a terrific save with his left pad before Johno May rattled the iron at the Storm end of the ice, all within the first thirty seconds.

Austin Cangelosi turned on the jets in overtime to tee up Christophe Boivin (63.14) and the Panthers returned to winning ways and took the extra point on offer.

*Main image @PanthersIHC Johnno May scores for Panthers on the night.

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