EIHL Game Report: Nottingham Panthers 5 Coventry Blaze 3

Nottingham Panthers came into this game full of confidence following the first win between these teams last week – Coventry Blaze, on the other hand, were looking for revenge.

The Panthers got off to the best start and continued where they left off last week, when Matt Francis scored after just 44 seconds.

Neither team could get anything set up after that and there was lots of end to end play, with any really chances being halted for both teams.

The next goal once again came for panthers in the form of Bob Wren, seeing panthers going in to the first break comfortable.

The second period belonged to the Blaze, they got themselves on the board early in the period, Mike Zacharias managed to keep out everything Panthers shot at him. Blaze were back in the game when in the power play they levelled the score on a break away.

The third period saw panthers back in control of the game and looking for the win. Leigh Salters put Panthers ahead once again, he tapped in Chris Murray’s blast.

Brandon Benedict forced Zacharias into a huge mistake, when the Coventry keeper came out of his net, leaving his goal open and empty for Lynn Loyns to score Panthers’ fourth short handed. Matt Ryan finally put the puck in the net, after going one on one with the Coventry net minder.

Blaze were given a penalty shot with 5 minutes left after panthers defence man Brent Henley brought down Cale Tanaka.

Tanaka made no mistake and put the puck behind Craig Kowalski.

Kevin Harvey, who had been noticeably absent for most of the game for Coventry, took Henley out with a big along the boards, but when Salters and then Murray offered to fight him, he was reluctant to drop the gloves.

Next time these two teams meet again in a fortnight’s time, I feel Harvey will be a marked man, with Murray and Salters willing to drop the gloves with him; only time will tell if he will take up the offer.