Coventry Blaze 4-6 Nottingham Panthers (Elite League) 09.04.22
The Nottingham Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak on Saturday night with a come-from-behind win over the Blaze in Coventry.
Will Kerlin again started in goal for the Panthers opposite C.J. Motte for the Blaze.
Nottingham got off to the perfect start when the returning Massimo Carozza (4.51) tapped in at the backdoor but Coventry answered back, just as a penalty to Aaron Thow expired, through Evan Bloodoff (11.56) in close to make sure the teams were tied going into the second period.
Matt Lane (22.33) gave the Panthers the lead on an early powerplay opportunity but three unanswered Blaze goals to see out the period had the visitors staring down the barrel at another defeat.
Ryan Penny (23.17) capitalised on a turnover in the neutral zone to draw the hosts level & Bloodoff (33.04) got his second of the game with a peach of a finish from the high slot whilst Robbie Baillargeon was in the penalty box after taking an interference minor behind the play.
Coventry gave themselves a two-goal lead late in the period when Janne Laakkonen (39.33) made Nottingham pay for failing to clear the defensive zone.
The Panthers were rewarded for some hard work & pressure in the third period when Matthew Myers (49.00) pulled them within one before Sean Richards (50.11) tied the game at four with a goal worthy of any highlight reel, the forward dancing around his defenceman before firing a smart finish beyond Motte.
Matt Lane (52.49) was the beneficiary of more hard work from the Panthers on the forecheck when he gave them the lead, Nottingham forcing a turnover below the Blaze goal line & finding the forward with all the time in the world at the back post where he made it 4-5 in favour of the visitors.
Coventry pulled Motte in favour of the extra attacker late on but Lane (59.57) completed his hat trick by firing into the empty net to seal two huge points for The Nottingham Panthers in the race for Premier Sports Elite League Playoff seedings.
Tonight Nottingham will hope to make it back to back victories as the Panthers take on Guildford Flames at the Motorpoint Arena with a 4pm face off.
*Main image @PanthersIHC celebrations after a tough couple of weeks for Nottingham.