Overtime winner as Panthers calm the Storm

NOTTINGHAM Panthers secured a sensational 3-2 overtime victory against Manchester Storm in front of a passionate Motorpoint Arena crowd.

Panthers secured the two points they needed but victories for Coventry Blaze and Dundee Stars saw them secure the final two playoff spots.

Nottingham were without Jake Ryczek and Logan Neilson but Carl Neill and Westi Michaud were both in the line-up again after returning to action for Saturday night’s victory in Manchester.

Netminder Rok Stojanovic started between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up.

The Storm took an early lead as Sam Tremblay netted at the backdoor (1:15), while Stojanovic made a good save to deny former Panther Zack Phillips.

Nottingham defenceman Josh Tetlow shot just over the bar from long-range before Didrik Henbrant scored a sensational equaliser as he went coast-to-coast and slid the puck past Alex Oldale (13:01).

Myles Mcgurty’s shot grazed the bar and Henrant went close on the powerplay as Panthers piled on the pressure early in the second period.

The visitors retook the lead when Michael Korol won the face-off and set-up Raymond Brice to score from close-range (32:42).

The Motorpoint Arena erupted when Mathieu Lemay’s shot from slot went in off the pipes to bring the game all-square again (37:17).

Panthers peppered the Storm goal with big chances for Lemay, Anthony Luciani and Jordan Kelsall.

At the other end, Stojanovic made two huge close-range saves to ensure the game went to overtime.

Just when you thought the noise couldn’t get any louder, the arena exploded in joy with a dramatic winner in the extra period. Simon Després set-up Alexander Lunsjö and his deflected shot beat Oldale.