Nottingham Panthers completed a weekend double over Manchester Storm with a hard-fought win in a feisty game at the Storm Shelter.
A misplay from Drew DeRidder after just 35 seconds gifted the Panthers the opening goal, with Chase Pearson capitalising early. Loren Ulett levelled the game at 10:59, skating from behind the net and finishing past Jason Grande, but was later ejected for cross-checking after leaving the bench to deliver a hit. Bryan Lemos restored Nottingham’s lead with 19 seconds left in the period, tapping home a loose puck.
Tensions boiled over at the end of the opening period, leading to multiple ejections on both sides. The result was a five-minute powerplay for the Panthers to start the second period, which they eventually converted after a timeout, with Tim Doherty making it 3-1 at 22:58.
Manchester responded late in the second period. Dante Hannoun pulled one back at 36:59, before Rais Francis tied the game at 38:18 with a quick finish off a faceoff.
Pearson had a goal disallowed early in the third for a high stick, but Nottingham regained the lead shortly after, with Doherty left unmarked in front to score the decisive goal.
Storm pulled DeRidder for the extra skater in the final minute but were unable to find an equaliser, falling to a one-goal defeat for the second straight game.
Photo: Mark Ferris
