EIHL Match Report 09/03/10 - Panthers win Challenge Cup

9th March 2010

Challenge Cup Final 2nd leg

Nottingham Panthers 4 Cardiff Devils 5
(Nottingham win 8-7 on aggregate)

Cardiff may have won the game but it was Nottingham, who lifted the silverware with a single goal win on aggregate.

The visitors made the home side fight all the way and only once in the game were the home side in front and that was midway through the second period.

Despite Cardiff hitting the game winner with just over four minutes remaining Nottingham held on to win the cup for the third time since the start of the Elite league.

Cardiff took the game straight to Nottingham and opened the scoring at 3.24 with a goal from Tylor Michel (19th). The tie was level on aggregate at 12.13 as Wes Jarvis (22nd) dispatched the puck away. Panthers player coach Corey Neilson (13th) pulled one back with a 5 on 3 powerplay at 17.47.

Max Birbraer (27th) restored the Devils two goal lead on the night at 24.24 and once again the tie was level on aggregate. But then the hosts hit three goals in a four minute spell to lead 4-3 on the night and restore their two goal aggregate advantage.

The first of these goals came from Marty Gascon (14th) at 26.22 and was followed by a strike from Marc Levers (14th) at 28.09. David Clarke (36th) then put the home side 4-3 in front on the night at 30.28. Despite this set back Cardiff levelled the game on the night as Max Birbraer (28th) netted his second goal of the game at 34.08.

Into the third period and we were at the same stage as we were at the start of the game with Nottingham having a two goal lead on aggregate. Cardiff out shot their opponents by 2-1 in the period but only had the one goal from Mark Smith (24th) at 55.52 to show for it.

Cardiff pulled goaltender Lyle inside the last minute but to no avail as Nottingham held firm to see the game out. Despite losing on the night it was the home team who were celebrating as they lifted the Cup with a single goal win on aggregate.

Period Scores: 1-2, 3-2, 0-1
Penalty Mins: Not 16 Car 14
Powerplay: Not 1/4 Car - 0/5
Shots On: Kevin St Pierre 31 – Stevie Lyle 27
Referee: Moray Hanson