The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze fell to a 3–0 defeat against the Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup at the Skydome Arena on Sunday.
Coventry came out strong in the opening period, firing 20 shots on Panthers’ netminder and eventual Man of the Match Kevin Carr.
Despite their pressure, it was the visitors who took a lead into the first intermission. After Brendan Harris saw his initial effort stopped by Mat Robson, who earned Blaze’s Man of the Match award for a fourth consecutive game, Matt Marcinew buried the rebound just 48 seconds into play.
The Blaze had chances to level, most notably when Colton Saucerman lined up a slapshot only for his stick to shatter mid-strike. Didrik Henbrandt also came close with a dangerous wraparound attempt, but Robson held firm.
The second period produced plenty of back-and-forth hockey, with the Panthers edging the better opportunities. However, neither side could find a breakthrough, and the score remained 0-1 heading into the final frame.
With just 3.30 left in regulation, Chase Pearson deflected David Noël’s point shot into the net to double Nottingham’s advantage.
Robson was pulled for the extra skater with 2.14 remaining, but after a couple of near misses on the empty net, Zsombor Garát sealed the victory with a long-range effort.
The Panthers outshot the Blaze 39–33 overall, securing the shutout and an important Challenge Cup road win.
After the weekend’s action, the Blaze sit third in Challenge Cup Group A, one point behind the Sheffield Steelers in second and two adrift of leaders Cardiff Devils. The Nottingham Panthers remain two points back in fourth.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
