Nottingham Panthers and Manchester Storm met for the second time in the competition, looking to bounce back after defeats in their previous games.
Panthers had the worst record coming into the game so a win would give them some much needed momentum as the regular season reached the halfway point.
DAILY HEADLINES
- Ryan Finnerty’s men out to make national impact (British Ice Hockey)
- GB youngsters catch the eye at Elite Series (Ice Hockey UK)
- Boivin comes up trumps for Panthers (see below)
- We set the scene for this contest with The Numbers Game (British Ice Hockey)
PRE-GAME POLL
📊 WHO WILL WIN? 📊
🏒 @PanthersIHC 🆚 @Mcr_Storm
🏆 #2021EliteSeries
📍@nottinghamarena
🕰 7pm
🎟 https://t.co/RhJ2ucMU0MPlease RT after you’ve cast your vote
— British Ice Hockey 🏒 (@BritIceHockey) April 14, 2021
GAME RECAP
NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS 4 MANCHESTER STORM 3 (AFTER OVERTIME)
A Christophe Boivin tip found its way past Manchester Storm goalie Sean Bonar in overtime as Nottingham Panthers picked up their second win of the Elite Series.
For the third time in the competition, Storm saw themselves go beyond the regulation 60 minutes, but unlike the previous two times, couldn’t find a way to get the game over the line.
It was badly needed from Nottingham’s point of view, coming from behind throughout the game to finally pip their opponents and the fact they had to dig deep to achieve it will be pleasing for coach Tim Wallace.
Ryan Finnerty’s side got the best possible start however when Scott Simmonds found the net in the opening couple of minutes to put themselves ahead as he finished off an excellent one timer.
Panthers thought they had equalised, but it was ruled out later in the first period. That didn’t stop them and they eventually got the leveller they coveted in the second session.
Nick Dineen was the man who got it, a tip on an effort from Mark Matheson to turn it past Bonar, but parity didn’t last long when Martin Gran put Manchester in front again five minutes later.
Panthers made it 2-2 early in the third period to keep the game nice and tight, with Johno May on the board with a powerplay finish.
Storm went ahead again as Max Fortier scored on the rebound and it was a case of bearing down and trying to keep the Panthers at bay.
It worked fine until five minutes from the buzzer as Lewis Hook, from Jordan Kelsall, got Panthers on level terms for the third time.
In overtime, it was the “home” team who nicked the winner as Austin Cangelosi moved up the right, squared it into the centre, where Boivin was in at the near post to divert it into the net.
SHOTS ON GOAL: Panthers 28 Storm 40
GOALSCORERS:
Panthers – Nick Dineen (27:49 – Matheson, Cangelosi PP); Johno May (40:35 – Matheson, Cangelosi PP); Lewis Hook (55:14 – Kelsall); Christophe Boivin (63:14 – Cangelosi, Matheson)
Storm – Scott Simmonds (01:29 – Fortier, Batch); Martin Gran (32:33 – Lake, Hazeldine); Max Fortier (47:08 – Simmonds, Klavestad)
POST GAME REACTION
PHOTOS
(PHOTO: Mark Ferriss)
(PHOTO: Mark Ferriss)
(PHOTO: Karl Denham)
(PHOTO: Karl Denham)
(PHOTO: Karl Denham)
