NOTTINGHAM, UK – The 2nd semi final of the day got underway at 5pm as the big spending Nottingham Panthers took on the surprise package of the play offs the Hull Stingrays.
Hull had the perfect early opportunity to take the lead as Stingrays were presented with a powerplay after only 6 minutes of action. However the side from east Yorkshire were unable to generate much offense during the time they had the man advantage.
Panthers broke the deadlock with 9 minutes on the clock when David Clarke fired home a great shot that flew across Boucher and into the top corner of the net. The goal was scored on a delayed penalty call, player/coach Corey Neilson will have been particularly happy with his marker as he orchestrated the whole play after picking up the puck in his own end.
Panthers find the back of the net
Nottingham had a host of other chances to extend their lead as Benedict, Neilson and Beauregard all had efforts on goal however Hull were able to go in at the first interval just a goal in arrears.
Sami Ryhanen should have doubled Panthers lead shortly into the 2nd session when he fired wide from only a few yards out. However the ‘home’ crowd didn’t have to wait long for the goals to come as Levers and Ryhanen fired home in quick succession at the start of the 2nd stanza.
Panthers were playing some lovely hockey and Stingrays were struggling to cope with Nottingham’s offensive play as the side from the lace city hit another 3 goals before the end of the 2nd period as David Clarke, Rhett Gordon and Matthews Myers all found the back of the net.
Clarke fires home
Despite being 6-1 Hull came out battling in the 3rd and Derek Campbell reduced the deficit by 1 with 42 minutes 41 seconds on the clock. Panthers offence was clearly clicking and Corey Neilson’s side continued to pull Hull’s defence apart. David Clarke netted his hatrick goal after 43 minutes and the lead was lengthened even further as Beuregard and Lachowicz also netted.
Hull got their 3rd of the game after 55 minutes when the impressive Derek Campbell set up player coach Sylvain Clouthier to slot home. The scoring wasn’t finished though as Jordan Fox got his first strike of the game on 54 minutes which saw Nottingham reach double figures.
Scorers –
Nottingham – Clarke 3+2, Myers 1+3, Beuregard, Gordon,Levers, Ryhanen and Fox 1+1, Lachowicz 1+0, Francis and Wilson 0+2, Meyers,Benedict, Lepine and Neilson 0+1
Hull – Campbell 1+2, Silverthorn 1+0, Cloutier 1+0, Dulle 0+1
Penalties –
Nottingham – 16 minutes Hull -12 minutes
Man of the Match –
Man of the Match – David Clarke
Nottingham – David Clarke Hull – Jason Silverthorn
Pro Hockey News will carry reports and post match reaction from all games over Play Off weekend
Photos courtesy of Colin Edwards
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.