Mitchell Fossier scored a brace and Jason Grande made 38 saves to lead the Nottingham Panthers to victory over the Cardiff Devils in a pulsating Elite League playoff final in which both teams had overtime-winning goals disallowed.
Nottingham, 4-3 winners in overtime, broke the deadlock a minute after puck drop, with Sam Herr redirecting Cooper Zech’s point shot to beat Ben Bowns from close range.
Herr doubled the Panthers’ advantage on 25:31, before Fossier converted on the powerplay to create a three-goal cushion halfway through period two.
Devils forward Tyler Busch was given his marching orders on the 30-minute mark, handed a game penalty for his role in a one-sided scrap with Panthers counterpart Matt Alfaro.
Cardiff defenceman Evan Mosey was also dismissed, receiving a game penalty for abuse of the officials in the second period.
Cooper Zech, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Dean Woolley)
Kohen Olischefski reduced Cardiff’s arrears on 38:51, before Joey Martin scored bar-down on 49:11 to set the stage for a nail-biting finish.
The Devils equalised via the stick of Gleason Fournier with four minutes left to play, beating Grande on his glove side with a one-timer from above the left face-off circle to force overtime.
Danny Stewart thought his side had scored the championship-winning goal a minute into overtime.
However, the Panthers’ would-be fourth goal was discounted for goalie interference after a lengthy video review was followed by an even lengthier coach’s challenge.
Pete Russell was the next bench boss to prematurely celebrate a title-clinching goal, with Jarrod Gourley’s 70th-minute goal also disallowed following a coach’s challenge.
In the 92nd-minute, Fossier found the roof of the net from the low slot, assisted by Zsombor Garat and Zech, to finally put an end to proceedings and end the Panthers’ nine-year domestic trophy drought.
Analysis:
Updates to follow.
Three Stars:
First Star: Sam Herr
Second Star: Jason Grande
Third Star: Mitchell Fossier
Updates to follow.
Playoff Finals Weekend Schedule:
Semi-Final: Belfast Giants 0-5 Cardiff Devils (19 April, 15:00)
Semi-Final: Sheffield Steelers 3-4 Nottingham Panthers (19 April, 19:00) [OT]
Third-Place Playoff: Belfast Giants 8-7 Sheffield Steelers (20 April, 13:00)
Final: Nottingham Panthers 4-3 Cardiff Devils (20 April, 17:00) [OT]
Related:
- Aaron Fox ‘hurt’ after Steelers suffer shock playoff semi-final loss
- Adam Keefe: I’ll take full responsibility for playoff semi-final defeat
- Cardiff Devils stun Belfast Giants, advance to Elite League Playoff Final
- Pete Russell: ‘If we’re dialled, we have a chance in the final
- Nottingham Panthers overturn two-goal deficit, eliminate Sheffield Steelers from playoffs
- Analysis Jarrett Fiske signs Dundee Stars contract extension
