Nottingham Panthers 5-2 Manchester Storm (Elite League) 06.03.22
The Nottingham Panthers took on the Manchester Storm for the final time in the 2021/22 regular season on Sunday afternoon.
Just as less than 24 hours prior Kevin Carr got the start in goal for the Panthers opposite Jason Bacashihua for the Storm.
Goals from Linden Springer (06.08) & Dallas Ehrhardt (18.02) gave Manchester a healthy lead before the close of the period, the second coming on the powerplay, in what was a poor opening 19 minutes for the Panthers.
Nottingham managed to get themselves on the board inside the final minute though as Massimo Carozza (19.23) found some loose change on the doorstep, after some great work by Jeremy Welsh, & deposited it into the back of the Storm goal to cut the visitors lead in half.
Brady Norrish (29.24) drew the Panthers level with a smart finish in the second period, the defence man continuing his recent hot streak in front of goal on a two-on-one break-in with Christophe Boivin.
A tripping penalty to Jared VanWormer (46.42) gave Nottingham the opportunity they needed to forge ahead as Carozza (47.03) got his second of the game with a wicked shot from the left-wing face-off circle to make it 3-2 in favour of the Panthers.
Empty net goals from Ollie Betteridge (58.40) & Matthew Myers (59.00) sealed the points for the Panthers to end their weekend on a high note ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Fife to take on the Flyers.
The win ensures Nottingham stay fourth with 42 points from 41 games as the Playoffs near the three sides above in the Elite League standings (Belfast, Sheffield & Cardiff) have already qualified, Nottingham will play bottom placed Fife knowing another win would edge the Panthers towards the finishing line ahead of the April/May Bank Holiday weekend showdown.
*Main image @PanthersIHC a home win for Nottingham provides some positives ahead of Wednesday.
