Another season draws to a close with the Nottingham Panthers success hungry fans demanding silverware. They clinched the challenge cup but will that be enough to satisfy the appetite of a fan base that have been left wanting after their grand slam year in 2013.
The season started off with disappointments in Nottingham when veteran NHL defencemen Theo Peckham and pedigree tough guy Eric Lizon backed out of their deals with the Panthers. With a strategy that involved starting the season short imports to allow flexibility things began to look precarious for Corey Neilson and has band of merry men.
They say every cloud has a silver lining and it certainly did for the Panthers. Peckham and Lizon left allowed Neilson the opportunity to add Cam Janssen, an enforcer with a fight card to rival all the leagues pugilists. Janssen plays a smart game using his reputation and size to intimidate and having settled into the EIHL he has become a fan favourite amongst not only the Panthers, but the league as a whole.
Tragedy was just around the corner again though. Nottingham’s players were gelling nicely and things were looking rosy until Geoff Waugh was injured, a puck to the ribs resulting in multiple fractures and a long term absence from the blue line leaving the remaining defence core working double time. They performed admirably but as the situation drew on and Andreas Wiedergut quickly succumbing to injury the tiredness was visible for all to see and has had a lasting effect on their league standings.
Once again faced with adversity Neilson pulled of another impressive signing by bringing back David Ling an NHL veteran and part of the 2013 grand slam winning squad. His impact was immediate and impressive tallying a point per game pace. Unfortunately, Ling recently left the club due to personal reasons, Ling paid an emotional tribute to the club in his final interview and will be sorely missed.
Injuries to several key players for significant amounts of time have really twisted the knife in a team desperately trying to not only keep its head above water but playing to win. It has to be said in all the adversity the players have pulled some brilliant results from grim looking match ups, on the flip side they have also dropped points in spectacular style in games where they really should have had the upper hand, Coventry last week most notably just hours after lifting the challenge cup.
The season now enters its closing weeks; the Panthers may be all but out of the title race but the play off campaign is now upon us. Taking points and wins now would ensure wind in the sails before they head into the quarter finals, though banking those two points to secure the title here in Cardiff is a sweet prospect which ensures both teams are motivated to play some exciting hockey!
Original publication in Sheffield Steelers and Cardiff Devils match day magazine
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