BOTH coach and captain were full of praise for goaltender Michel Robinson after Panthers' resounding victory over Manchester booked a date with Coventry at the play-off semi-finals at the National Ice Centre on Saturday.

And Corey Neilson again stirred the pot with his Coventry counterpart Paul Thompson to set up what could be a real grudge match.

"That was a prime example of goaltending winning series," said the coach.

"I don't give credit to Robbo very often but he really was just exceptional and he outplayed their goalie, who was pretty good as well.

"I'm looking forward to meeting Coventry... a lot. In fact I have a smile from ear to ear. It will be a great match-up.

"They won the season series against us, undeservedly – I don't care what Thommo says – it was undeserved. But they won it and credit to them.

"Throughout the year they ground out wins better than we did, against us and tough opposition, but we played better a lot of the time.

"And if we play better now with Robbo playing the way he is, I'm confident."