Panthers pounce at Hull

Nottingham Panthers maintained their position at the top of the Elite League with a 5-2 victory over Hull Stingrays - their second road win of the week.

The visitors dominated to build up a 3-0 lead early in the second period but were forced to make a late surge when the Stingrays fought back.

Bruce Richardson opened the scoring for the Panthers before Cameron Mann made it 2-0 only 17 seconds later.

The home side recovered somewhat from the disastrous start to keep the Panthers at bay for the rest of the opening period, but were outfoxed again at the beginning of the second with Richardson fired home.

The Stingrays kicked up a gear and responded with a brace from young Scot Lee Mitchell, who scored twice on the powerplay, setting the stage for an exciting third period.

Both sides had chances but it was the Panthers that scored the crucial goal from D'Amour at 49.39 before Sean McAslan added the insurance on the powerplay.

Triumph

Coventry Blaze celebrated their third consecutive league win with a 3-1 triumph over Newcastle Vipers at home.

The Blaze were keen to see off their rivals from the top end of the standings, although the visitors outshot their hosts by 39 to 30.

A fine display from goaltender Peter Hirsch and goals from Luke Fulgum, Derek Campbell and Brian Lee proved too much for the Vipers, who managed just one strike from David Longstaff in the final period.

The opening period was goalless despite plenty of opportunities for both sides and the drought continued right through until the home side let rip, scoring three times in just under six minutes.

Fulghum drew first blood, followed by ex-Viper Campbell and finally Lee on the powerplay to take control against their stunned visitors.

The Vipers gave it their all in the third period but the only other scoring came from Longstaff in the 44th minute.

Belfast Giants leapfrogged Cardiff Devils to take fourth place in the table after a double from Jeff Szwez in the first period secured them a 3-1 home win.

The hosts added a third goal just past the midway point before the match boiled over, with hero Szwez thrown out on a five-minute plus game penalty, while team-mate Sean McMorrow and Devils' Brad Voth were handed five-minute majors for fighting.

Cardiff managed to get a consolation goal in the second period but were unable to build on it during a scoreless third period.

Before his departure, Szwes scored the second fastest opening goal of the season with 29 seconds on the clock. He added his second on the powerplay at 10.58.

Cup action

In Challenge Cup action, Sheffield Steelers shelved their current league woes to qualify for the semi-finals with a 6-1 home rout of Edinburgh Capitals.

Joey Talbot shone at the House of Steel with a hat-trick, while Jeff Legue, Matt Hubbauer and Robert Dowd contributed the rest of the goals.

Capitals claimed their only consolation in the 47th minute when Ben O'Connor found the back of the net.

Steelers will now meet adversaries Nottingham in a two-legged semi-final, with Belfast and Cardiff facing off in the other last four match.