Paré of goals for Felix help Panthers Storm to vital victory
NOTTINGHAM Panthers secured a vital two points with an outstanding performance on the road to win 4-2 at Manchester Storm.
The result set up a dramatic final day of the regular season for the side yesterday, with Panthers needing another win over the same side at the Arena, along with help from games elsewhere, to secure one of the remaining play-off spots.
Panthers welcomed back defenceman Carl Neill from injury and forward Westin Michaud returned after missing Monday’s game against Glasgow.
Jake Ryczek and Logan Neilson both missed-out through injury. Rok Stojanovic got the start in goal with Luca Sheldon back-up.
Panthers took an early lead when Félix Paré picked-up the puck on the right and ripped a shot across Evan Weninger (2:12).
Michaud, Didrik Henbrant and Anthony Luciani had chances for Nottingham while at the other end, Dallas Ehrhardt’s wrist-shot from the bluline was saved by Stojanovic.
Ehrhardt hit the pipes before Cam Critchlow equalised for the hosts with a low shot past Stojanovic (17:53).
Myles Mcgurty collected a cross-ice pass from Carl Neill and rifled it into the corner to give Panthers the advantage at the first intermission (19:36). Mathieu Lemay fed Paré for a one-timer to score his second of the night (22:11), before Henbrant tipped-in Joe Hazeldine’s floated shot for Nottingham’s fourth (27:09).
Mitch Martan put a backhand shot over the bar and Stojanovic stopped Critchlow’s wraparound attempt as Panthers ended the second period with a three-goal advantage.
Stojanovic made a huge stop to deny Stephen Johnson early in the third period as Storm made a solid start after the break.
Alexander Lunsjö was denied on the powerplay while Nieminen and Ollie Betteridge also went close.
Raymond Bryce scored for the Storm from close-range in the final minute (59:26), but it did not matter as Panthers did more than enough to secure a vital two points.
A victory for Panthers yesterday afternoon, along with defeats for two of Coventry, Glasgow or Dundee would secure a top-eight finish and place in the end-of-season play-offs.