Vipers ended their league campaign with only their second win in eight games to give them a boost going into next weekends tough Play-Off series against Belfast but for injury decimated Panthers it was a third loss in four, with their Play-Off hopes against Edinburgh next week depending on the return of several key players.

Vipers were quickly off the mark and led with a goal after only 1.10 by Brent Hughes (6th). The home side then quickly doubled their advantage as goaltender Mark Hartley was beaten for a second time at 4.17 by Jamie Tinsley (1st). Panthers dug in after that and pulled one back before the period end thanks to Marc Levers (15th) at 15.06 on the powerplay.

The second period was shared with each team scoring in quick succession. A powerplay strike by Ben Campbell (10th) had Vipers 3-1 ahead at 33.39 but Panthers hit back at 34.11 with Ross Dalgleish (4th) on target.

Into the third period where the home side grabbed a two-goal lead once more when Jerraimie Domish (7th) counted on the powerplay at 45.37 but back came a resolute Panthers to make it interesting when Jade Galbraith (23rd) scored on the powerplay at 55.01. Try as they might Panthers could not force home the game tying goal and Vipers sealed the win when Dean Holland (4th) hit the empty net with 9 seconds of regulation remaining.  

Period Scores: 2-1, 1-1, 2-1

Penalty Mins: New 10 - Not 16

Powerplay: New 2/7 - Not 2/4

Shots On: Michel Robinson 50 - Mark Hartley 41 + 1 ENG

Referee: Moray Hanson