09 Mar 2024, 19:00 | Regular season | Ice Arena Wales |
Cardiff Devils | 6-2 | Nottingham Panthers |
Periods: Shots: | 3-1 (15-12) | 2-0 (14-12) | 1-1 (12-10) | Total: 41-34 |
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Referees: Ions/Smith  |  Spectators: 3100 |
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Goals and assists
Cardiff Devils came from a goal down to beat Nottingham Panthers by
four at a sold-out Vindico Arena, with Joey Martin hitting a hat trick.
Retro night at the Vindico Arena saw an explosive opening period which had four goals over the 20 minutes.
Otto
Nieminen put the Panthers ahead with 3:12 played when he got on his own
rebound to beat Ben Bowns and open the scoring. The hosts were level
two minutes later off a Cody Donaghey one-timer that snuck past Rok
Stojanovič's near post, before two goals in under as many minutes put
the home side in control. Josh Batch waltzed into the slot uncovered to
shoot home at 10:48, followed by Joey Martin took a puck in front and
dangled before beating Stojanovič at 12:31. The Panthers restarted the
game with a man-advantage after a Trevor Cox slash after the goal caused
a scrum.
The Devils continued to press home their superiority
in the middle frame. Jamie Arniel topped Bode Wild's shot home 2:23
into the period, while just over five minutes later Joey Martin got the
final deflection on a Cox shot to brings the hosts up to five. Marcus
Crawford and Jordan Kelsall dropped the gloves before the period was
over.
Mathieu Lemay excellently finished a Roy pass to one-time home a
powerplay goal 2:13 into period three as the Panthers got back to within
three. Martin completed his hat trick with 9:36 left to play to put the
Devils into a more comfortable lead that they held until the final
buzzer, with some more fighting majors handed out before the game was
over.