Panthers claim Play Off Title

NOTTINGHAM, UK – A virtual full house at the National Ice Centre saw the Cardiff Devils take on the Nottingham Panthers in the final game of the Elite League season in the Play Off Final. Both sides were at full strength for the encounter as neither side picked up any injuries during the semi final match ups on the Saturday. The game had a slightly delayed start due to the Sky TV coverage and the delay appeared to unsettle the Panthers Player/Coach Corey Neilson. His side started the game in a positive manner however Devils were the first on the scoresheet when marksman Jon Pelle found the back of the net with a powerful shot after nice work from Scott Matzka.

Matzka was central to most of Cardiff’s forward play, he almost scored himself shortly after the first goal of the game. Devils did not take long to extend their lead though as Weller fired home his first goal of the Play Off weekend after 11 minutes of the game. Cardiff came close to extending their lead however Kowalksi in the Panthers net was able to keep Devils at bay.
David Beauregard brought Nottingham firmly back into the game on 14 minutes when the sharp shooter beat the in form Stevie Lyle. Panthers were visibly lifted by the strike and Corey Neilson’s side were unlucky not to equalise just before the end of the first period when Rob Bellamy’s effort almost found the back of the net. Cardiff got the middle session off to the best possible start when Devils captain Ryan Finnerty gave his side a 2 goal lead 32 seconds into the period. The strike showchased the players desire and passion as Finnerty was on the end of a huge check in his own end of the rink however rather than going off for the change as many players would he skated the full length of the rink and was rewarded for his effort when a Brad Voth passed found him and Finnerty duly found the back of net. * **image4*** Nottingham continued to give everything they had in the game and Corey Neilson’s side cannot be accused of lacking drive or team spirit as Panthers equalised once more. Jeff Heerema was the man on target his shot wasn’t the cleanest strike however the bouncing puck deceived Stevie Lyle to tie the game up at 3 all. Devils almost took the lead once again when Panthers were unable to clear the puck during a scramble in front of Kowalski’s goal. Nottingham Player/Coach Neilson took the decision to dislodge his own goal from its moorings and pick up a delay of the game penalty rather than risk his side going a goal behind. Cardiff’s powerplay failed to deliver and therefore Neilson’s tactic proved to be an astute piece of defending. Nottingham were soon once again in arrears though as Power forward Brad Voth was able to fire Devils into the lead after 38 minutes. Voth’s quick turn and shot was of the highest quality and it appeared the goal could have swung the game back in Cardiff’s favour. However this was not to be the case as Panthers showed their character to once again come back from behind in the third period. Billy Ryan tied the game after 44 minutes with a precise finish after good work from captain Danny Meyers. Nottingham continued to create opportunities and the Panthers took the lead with 48 minutes on the clock when David Beauregard somehow found the back of the net from an extremely acute angle. The roof was nearly lifted off the N.I.C as the Panthers fans were overjoyed to take the lead late in the game after struggling to keep pace with Devils for much of the encounter.
The home side almost increased their lead on 57 minutes when David Clarke saw his shot smash against the cross bar. Cardiff were doing they could to get back on level terms and the Devils passion got the better of them late in the game as Craig Weller and Ryan Finnerty picked up minor penalties while Scott Matzka was thrown out of the game for mis-conduct. This meant that Cardiff had a 2 man disadvntage when they were trying to find the equalising goal this task was to prove unattainable for Gerad Adams side.
The large contingent of Panthers fans were understandably delighted that their side had overcome all the dramas of the 2010/11 campaign to eventually be crowned Play Off winners. Much credit has to be given to the Nottingham Coach Corey Neilson as Panthers season looked to be petering out a couple of months back so to end the season with 2 trophies is a superb achievement for Neilson and all of his back room staff and players. Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
Images courtesy of Paul Lynch Photography