NOTTINGHAM, UK. – Two points from four and a busy treatment room has an eerie reminiscence of last season’s injury-plagued campaign for the Nottingham Panthers. A big 7-2 Challenge cup/ league victory over the Manchester Storm was quickly followed by the narrowest of defeats against the Coventry Blaze in a single goal league contest.
The fallout from two feisty games is significant, Canadian Defencemen Geoff Waugh found himself joining fellow blue liner Andreas Wiedergut and forward David Clarke as early casualties of a season barely into its opening stanza. Clarke and Wiedergut have no time tables for recovery whilst Waugh, released from hospital on 21st September, is looking to miss around six to nine weeks after taking a slap shot to the chest against the Storm. Injuries are part of any team’s season but the Panthers persistent injury hindrances must weigh heavily on Head Coach Corey Nielson’s shoulders.
Thankfully due to a strong British contingent and Evan Mosey having the ability to play both ends of the ice, Neilson can still ice a strong roster and has two import skaters left to sign. Neilson looks to be biding his time with his final two acquisitions and may be waiting to see who is available once the various camps in North America wrap up. Time will tell whether three key players injured leads to a new sense of urgency getting pen to paper but with the average wait for a visa currently at four weeks for a North American player, anticipating team needs will require both luck and intuition from the experienced head coach. The solution could be European players but it can be tougher to find unsigned European talent at this time of the year with most of the continent playing already.
That is not to say we should dwell on the negatives, Nottingham’s clouds carrymyriad of silver linings:
Forward Brad Moran netted a hat trick over the weekend as he shows early promise as a top scorer contender for both club and league suppoerted by another ray of hope, line mate and former NHLer Juraj Kolnik. The two have found chemistry early on and their line is often boosted by British forward Robert Lachowicz who has an opportunity to develop and flourish under the wings of the two premium attackers.
Cam Janssen showed he could find twine as he continues to show he is not just an enforcer and is here to play. Many touted the veteran NHL tough guy as a goon and a liability however if he continues as he started he will prove that you do not have to play dirty to make a stand. His point production may be low end but his effect on the team and the crowd is palpable!
Netminder Miika Wiikman also appears to be finding his groove providing solid back up to the under pressure blue line. Wiikman or whoever came in between the pipes this season were always going to be under the microscope but the Finnish/ Swedish national has shown that he is here to get the job done.
Rookie British forward Ollie Betteridge also has an opportunity to show what he is capable with rising ice time in the shadow of the current staffing issues. The youngster could be the key to holding the ship straight and true whilst the storm passes. It is a lot of pressure for a player with Betteridge’s experience but with a wealth of veteran experience surrounding him this could work out heavily in his favour.
One of the toughest weekends on the calendar approaches as both the Braehead Clan and Cardiff Devils visit the Capital FM arena. The Devils enter the game with Guillaume Doucet and Leigh Salters, two former Panthers that are sure to make an impression on the Saturday night crowd. The Clan come into the match up having put on a fantastic showing in the Champions Hockey League with a roster brimming with talent which should lead to some entertaining hockey Sunday evening.
However many points the Panthers manage to battle from the weekends action it is fair to say that one of the biggest victories would come from no more customers in front of the physios room.
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