Nottingham Panthers 3-1 Manchester Storm (Challenge Cup Group C) 09.10.21

The Nottingham Panthers put in a professional performance to defeat the Manchester Storm on Saturday night.

Will Kerlin started in goal for the Panthers opposite Matt Ginn for the Storm.

Nottingham got off to the perfect start when Simon Suoranta (1.14) was left all alone at the back door and he buried his one-time effort into the back of the net.

Things got even better for the home side just after the game’s halfway point when Matt Lane (10.40) tipped Josh Tetlow’s shot from the point beyond Ginn to make it 2-0 in favour of the Panthers.

Kerlin dealt with everything thrown his way and Nottingham skated into the first intermission holding a two-goal lead.

A feisty second period saw Brady Norrish drop the gloves with Cam Critchlow and Linden Springer (fighting) and Robbie Baillargeon ( ejected from the game.

Taylor Doherty (24.17) put the Panthers into a three-goal lead before the Storm pulled one back through Curtis Hamilton (37.45) on a late second period powerplay.

There was no further scoring in the third period and Will Kerlin continued his strong performance between the pipes, coming up big on numerous occasions inside the final two minutes, and the Panthers took the two Premier Sports Challenge Cup points on offer.

The side are now looking to build on Saturday night’s 3-1 victory as all eyes shift to a huge weekend of action against Sheffield & Cardiff.

A short trip north to take on the Steelers awaits the Panthers on Saturday night, in a game that counts for points in the Premier Sports Challenge Cup before they return home to the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham to collide with the Cardiff Devils on Sunday afternoon at 4.00pm with league points on the line.

Will Kerlin (16 saves) back stopped the Panthers to their Saturday night win in his first professional start whilst two-way contracted forwards Morgan Clarke-Pizzo & Jack Hopkins saw plenty of ice-time throughout the game with Nottingham down a few bodies due to injury.

An update from the medical room on the players who missed the game has been provided by Lead Sports Therapist Laura-Jo Bowler.

Kevin Carr, who missed Saturday’s win over Manchester with an upper body injury picked up in training and is currently listed as day-to-day, will undergo further evaluation when the team return to the arena on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile Matthew Myers (upper body) & Massimo Carozza (lower body) continue to make good progress in their respective recoveries and an update on their status will be provided early next week.

A clean bill of health was reported post-game for everyone who iced on Saturday night.

You can book your tickets for Sunday’s date with the Devils by clicking here

*Main image @PanthersIHC Will Kerlin in net for Panthers was superb on Saturday.