Nottingham Panthers 9-3 Hull Stingrays (EL/CC)
A poor third period tonight cost the Hull Stingrays dear in their opening fixture of the 13/14 Elite League season as they were heavily beaten 9-3 by reigning Elite League, playoff and Challenge Cup champions the Nottingham Panthers despite an encouraging opening 40 minutes.
In a fixture that doubled up as both a league and Challenge Cup Group B match, the Stingrays were without the services of imports Kyle Mariani and Carl Lauzon - who have not yet arrived in the country - and young Brit Lee Bonner.
Regardless of whether they were at full strength or not, it was always going to be very difficult for Sylvain Cloutier's side facing one of the strongest sides in the league at full strength and, indeed, so it provde.
The Panthers - who had rung the post seconds after opening face-off - deservedly led 2-0 through Robert Lachowicz and Brandon Benedict after 13 minutes before Jereme Tendler opened his account for the year on 14.21. The home side - who outshot the Rays 19-6 in the first - would add their third of the first period through Bob Wren just over a minute after the Stingrays opener though, giving them a commanding two goal lead heading into the second period.
The visitors bounced back in a big way in the second period with Tendler adding his second of the night and 131st in a Stingrays jersey with British defenceman Jamie Chilcott notching his first point as a professional on the goal. Four minutes later, Jason Silverthorn would pop up and shock the home crowd by leveling the score at 3-3.
Crucially and perhaps cruelly on the Stingrays, veteran centre Wren responded for the Panthers five minutes later to give them a 4-3 lead.
The Panthers held that advantage into the second intermission before Chris Capraro scored a big powerplay goal 1.22 into the third period.
That goal proved to be the straw that broke the camels back as the Stingrays were outshot 17-3 and conceded a further four third period goals through Lachowicz - who completed his hat-trick with two further goals - Chris Murray and Matt Francis with Ben Bowns - who had been solid throughout - being replaced by Greg Blais at 7-3.
Despite the defeat, the Cloutier and the Stingrays will be encouraged by their performance through 40 minutes. Naturally, there will be concerns about leaking nine goals on opening night but against a very strong, full strength Nottingham side and with two further imports to come into the side, there are positives to take into their second game of opening weekend against the Braehead Clan on Sunday night.
In a fixture that doubled up as both a league and Challenge Cup Group B match, the Stingrays were without the services of imports Kyle Mariani and Carl Lauzon - who have not yet arrived in the country - and young Brit Lee Bonner.
Regardless of whether they were at full strength or not, it was always going to be very difficult for Sylvain Cloutier's side facing one of the strongest sides in the league at full strength and, indeed, so it provde.
The Panthers - who had rung the post seconds after opening face-off - deservedly led 2-0 through Robert Lachowicz and Brandon Benedict after 13 minutes before Jereme Tendler opened his account for the year on 14.21. The home side - who outshot the Rays 19-6 in the first - would add their third of the first period through Bob Wren just over a minute after the Stingrays opener though, giving them a commanding two goal lead heading into the second period.
The visitors bounced back in a big way in the second period with Tendler adding his second of the night and 131st in a Stingrays jersey with British defenceman Jamie Chilcott notching his first point as a professional on the goal. Four minutes later, Jason Silverthorn would pop up and shock the home crowd by leveling the score at 3-3.
Crucially and perhaps cruelly on the Stingrays, veteran centre Wren responded for the Panthers five minutes later to give them a 4-3 lead.
The Panthers held that advantage into the second intermission before Chris Capraro scored a big powerplay goal 1.22 into the third period.
That goal proved to be the straw that broke the camels back as the Stingrays were outshot 17-3 and conceded a further four third period goals through Lachowicz - who completed his hat-trick with two further goals - Chris Murray and Matt Francis with Ben Bowns - who had been solid throughout - being replaced by Greg Blais at 7-3.
Despite the defeat, the Cloutier and the Stingrays will be encouraged by their performance through 40 minutes. Naturally, there will be concerns about leaking nine goals on opening night but against a very strong, full strength Nottingham side and with two further imports to come into the side, there are positives to take into their second game of opening weekend against the Braehead Clan on Sunday night.
