The Nottingham Panthers received a raucous reception on their return to the Motorpoint Arena on Sunday afternoon after 80 weeks away from their army of faithful fans.

Kevin Carr got the start in goal once again for the Panthers opposite Mac Carruth for the Devils.

Brodie Reid (4.02) gave the Devils an early lead when a bad bounce saw him skate in all alone on Carr.

Nottingham had a chance to respond but despite spending a full two-minute powerplay in the Devils’ zone and peppering Carruth’s goal they couldn’t tie the game.

Carr and Carruth both continued to frustrate the forwards of both teams as Cardiff skated into the first intermission with a one goal lead.

Kevin Domingue was so often the Panthers’ hero in the Elite Series with nobody in the stands but he got his first goal in front of the Nottingham fans to tie the game. Jordan Kelsall finding him the slot and his heavy shot overpowered Carruth (25.34) and found it’s way over the line.

He didn’t have to wait long for his second.

With the Panthers on the powerplay Massimo Carozza put a firm pass the way of Domingue (34.41) and his firm re-direct eluded Carruth to give Nottingham the lead.

Cardiff answered back within a minute though when Brandon McNally (35.32) applied the finishing touch after a goal mouth scramble and the teams went into the second intermission even.

The Devils took advantage of an early third period powerplay to re-take the lead through McNally (45.12) and five minutes later another goal mouth scramble saw the visitors extend their lead further, Cox (50.02) getting the final touch to seal the game and the Diamond Jubilee Cup for the side from South Wales.

Next up for the Panthers is the Aladdin Cup on Saturday night against Sheffield Steelers before the first game of the Elite League on Sunday 26th September verses Dundee Stars.

*Main image @PanthersIHC return to ice action between Nottingham and the Devils on Sunday night.