Panthers gearing up for playoffs

NOTTINGHAM Panthers have a realistic chance of finishing Elite League runners-up after Edinburgh Capitals hit back from their 3-2 defeat at the National Ice Centre on Saturday to stun Coventry Blaze 4-2 in the West Midlands.

That leaves Panthers and Coventry level on 76 points with two games remaining, although Blaze have the edge on games won in regulation time.

Panthers followed Friday's exceptional 7-5 win in Belfast by defeating a greatly-improved Edinburgh to notch up a successive back-to-back four-pointer.

It lifted hopes of a second-placed finish and an 'easier' clash with Newcastle – a side they have beaten six times – in the two-leg quarter finals. Coventry's last two games are against Belfast (home) and Newcastle away this weekend.

Panthers also have to do the job against Belfast at the NIC on Wednesday and in Cardiff for their last game of the regular season on Sunday.

But whoever they get in the play-offs the following weekend, they will have to be on top of their game and not allow teams to get the jump on them as Edinburgh did on Saturday.

To their credit, Panthers showed the kind of determination and resilience that wins championships against a stubborn Caps outfit who showed their willingness to attack as well as defend in numbers.

And it also proved Panthers' power-play is still the most lethal in the league with all their goals coming with the man advantage.

With Dan Tessier and David Clarke back in the line-up, it also allowed them the luxury of spotting in Brits James Ferrara and Rob Lachowicz, who have been doing well in recent games.

The only worrying aspect for Panthers is the facial injury to Johan Molin, who suffered a gash after bravely diving to block a shot in the last minute as Edinburgh piled on the pressure.

The Swedish sniper – arguable Panthers' most consistent player this season – has just stopped wearing a full face mask after suffering a broken cheekbone and his absence would be a huge loss.

However, the shots on goals tally of 41-25 indicates just how dominant Panthers were but goalie Michel Robinson still had to be alert to keep out a Caps side still battling for that final play-off spot. And with referee Dean Smith allowing a lot of stuff to go unpenalised, the game often simmered without boiling over entirely.

Panthers started well enough but they were caught napping (3.13) when Robinson threw the puck around the boards and when it skipped over Nick Toney's stick, the goalie was still racing to get back into his net as Brad Bonello drilled it home.

After Smith had ignored a blatant trip on Bruce Richardson, the referee called an innocuous hooking penalty on Toneys and Panthers were rocked again.

Tessier went close short-handed but Caps hit back quickly and when Robinson failed to shut the gap on his near post, Edinburgh player-coach Doug Christiansen bounced the puck in via the goalie's shoulder (7.02).

Then it was Edinburgh's turn to feel the wrath of the referee and Panthers pulled one goal back when they got their power-play working.

With 11 seconds left on the cross-checking penalty to Craig Mitchell, Tessier fed man-of-the-match Kevin Bergin in front and he finally found a way past Pasi Raitanen (15.33).

As the period closed, Tessier hammered a shot against the angle of post of bar, but it didn't take Panthers long to grab a deserved equaliser.

With Jason Cassells in the sin-bin, Tessier powered in No.2 for Panthers from outside the right circle, just 50 seconds after the break.

Clarke, Jade Galbraith and Bergin all went close to adding to the tally before Molin had a 'goal' washed out when Smith blew his whistle prematurely, believing Raitanen had the puck covered up.

At the start of the third period, Robinson was almost caught out again by Bonello, but Panthers were gradually grinding down the visitors and they finally broke with seven minutes remaining. While Adam Stefishen was sitting a double-minor after a clash with Bergin, Panthers patiently cycled the puck before Corey Neilson put it on a plate for Brendan Cook to clinch the points with a fine finish. That took Cook's goal-tally to a team-best 29 as he celebrates his most productive season as a pro.

After enduring a scoring slump of two goals in 20 games earlier in the season, Cook has 12 goals and 15 assists in the last 12 and that is just the kind of form that has to be taken into the play-offs – whoever Panthers happen to meet.