NOTTINGHAM, UK. The Nottingham Panthers finally bag a win against key rivals the Sheffield Steelers and take the EIHL top spot. It is not all sunshine and rainbows in Nottingham as head coach Corey Neilson’s injury headaches get worse.
Let’s get it out in the open. Stephen Schultz, a shining beacon of offensive awesomeness, has picked up a nasty lower body injury that saw him stretchered off the ice during last week’s victory over the Edinburgh Capitals. The 27 year old has been tested and thankfully there are no broken bones but a return good be within months rather than weeks. Time will tell how Neilson deals with the issue but fans are hoping for a short term replacement.
So there is the gloom but thankfully the doom is being kept at bay by one of the most resilient teams the Panthers have assembled in a long time. Schultz, Robert Farmer and Geoff Waugh are all side lined and when three key players are side-lined it can often lead to collapse but not this team. They have continued to win and it is hard to pick out a player who has not raised their game to keep the optimism alive and well on the ice and in the stands.
A key arrival has helped of course. David Ling, the fabled forward from the legendary grand slam team of 2012, has returned and looks like he has never left. His point production is at a point per game and if anything it is increasing and despite being 40 he is still managing to run rings round the opposition. His other gift as a prime agitator is certainly evident as he has managed to fluster more than a few victims who are often already shaken by the board rattling hits of fellow forward Cam Janssen.
Another silver lining is the recovery of blue liner Waugh. He was injured in the seasons opening weeks and could be close to return. Waugh was fast earning a reputation among the EIHL’s top D-men before he took a puck to the ribs and Neilson will be hoping he will come back motivated and ready to pick up where he left off. Once he does return this would allow Evan Mosey to move back into the offensive set up and help smooth over the cracks left by Farmer and Schultz until either a replacement is bought in or Schultz returns.
There is much speculation about what Neilson and the Panthers are up too. A new signing rumour pops up about once a week but with relatively little coming to fruition. They say there is no smoke without fire though so it is very likely the hunt to fill the final import and/or a short term replacement Schultz is in progress but we shall wait and see.
Belfast are next up for the Panthers and what a battle it should be. Both teams have had their share of success and disasters this season but just one point separated the Giants from the Panthers top spot. The two sides rarely leave anything on the ice by the final buzzer and with the lead likely going to the winner this will be no different. If you are in Nottingham over the weekend it is not a game I would want to miss!
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