Injury and suspension hit league leading Blaze were no match for a hungry Panthers side, who bounced back from their shock midweek home loss against Newcastle to overpower their visitors with a 4-0 third period surge.

Panthers now move to within three points of Blaze but Paul Thompson's men still have a couple of games in hand.

The opening period was mostly in favour of Panthers but a stubborn Blaze defence kept them out until Sean McAslan (34th) scored on the powerplay at 17.19.

Kevin Bergin (14th) then doubled the home advantage only 50 seconds into the second period before Brian Lee (8th) pulled one back for the visitors at 23.02. A penalty shot was converted by Jade Galbraith (20th) for Panthers at 29.25 but again Blaze replied and ended the period scoring when Luke Fulghum (43rd) fired home at 35.43.

Blaze had no answers in the third period as Panthers made the game theirs. David Clarke (33rd) made it 4-2 at 44.38 and further strikes came from Marc Levers (12th) at 48.03, McAslan (35th) on the powerplay at 51.17 and finally Ross Dalgleish (3rd) beat backup goaltender Tom Murdy at 56.28 to complete a great nights work for Corey Neilson's charges.   

Period Scores: 1-0, 2-2, 4-0

Penalty Mins: Not 6 - Cov 8 

Powerplay: Not 2/4 - Cov 0/3

Shots On: Kevin St Pierre 24 - Peter Hirsch 33 / Tom Murdy 9

Referee: Moray Hanson