The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze added another point to their Challenge Cup tally but were narrowly defeated 2-3 in overtime during Head Coach Danny Stewart’s return to the Skydome Arena with the Nottingham Panthers.
The Panthers struck first in the opening period when Logan Neilson capitalised on a puck battle in front of Blaze goalie Mat Robson, scoring at 9.33.
Nottingham extended their lead at 15.07 with a powerplay goal from Captain Sam Herr, silencing the home crowd.
Robson then made a highlight-reel diving save before the period ended, keeping Coventry within reach.
That save proved crucial as the Blaze responded in the second period and led by the standout performance of Man of the Match, Chase Gresock were the better of the two sides of the remainder.
Coventry heavily outshot Nottingham 21-11 in the period, and their persistence paid off.
Gresock finally broke through at 29.32, sneaking the puck past Panthers’ Man of the Match Rok Stojanovič after sustained pressure.
Just under four minutes later, Gresock added his sixth point of the competition with a slick pass to Mike Regush, who tied the game at 33.22.
Despite penalties disrupting play late in the second period, both teams found their rhythm again in the third, each pushing for the go-ahead goal.
Hugo Roy came closest for the Panthers, hitting the post with under 10 minutes to go, while Coventry also had their chances, but the deadlock persisted.
The game headed into overtime, with both sides earning a point for the thrilling contest.
However, it was the Panthers who found the decisive goal at 63.05, when Tim Doherty deflected Matt Spencer’s pass into the net, sending the Nottingham supporters home happy and leaving Coventry with more work to do in the Challenge Cup.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
