Nottingham Panthers Lay Down the Law (UK Round Up - 19th February)

What an exciting end of the week in the EIHL and EPL !!!

Nottingham Panthers 9 Edinburgh Capitals 0

With the top two not in action the Nottingham Panthers had a golden chance to move back into second place.

After a controlling the game through the first two periods the floodgates opened up. The Panthers scoring 6 times in the final period including 3 goals in the last 2 minutes.

That victory lifts the Panthers over the Steelers into second place. Whereas the loss means the Capitals are winless now in their last 11 games in danger of slipping out of the play offs.

Cardiff Devils 5 Hull Stingrays 3

The Hull Stingrays recent good run of form had seen them lifted higher into the playoffs and out of immediate danger of missing the end of season showdown. However the Devils put paid to that as a brace from Macrae meant the Stingrays would leave the weekend without a point.

Jason Silverthorn’s 57^th minute goal though did offer give the home side a chance in what was other wise a dominating display from the Cardiff Devils.

Braehead Clan 6 Coventry Blaze 4

In a rematch from Saturday night the Clan went to the Skydome. The hometown Blaze had been beaten in Glasgow in that match and another defeat tonight would lift the Clan above them into fifth place.

For such a challenge there is only one man in the Elite League who can step up, Jade Galbraith. In a tight, end to game the Canadian proved to be the difference as his hat trick lifted the visitors to a 4-point weekend and fifth place in the EIHL.

English Premier League

All EPL teams were back in action tonight as after 20 minutes the Guildford Flames gave the Manchester Phoenix and Slough Jets a glimmer of hope in the title race. The Flames were tied at 0 – 0 with the Swindon Wildcats but that glimmer was extinguished in the second as the Flames went on to win 9 -1 and remain in control in the title race.

The Phoenix and the Jets though both kept up the pressure tho with wins over the Milton Keynes Lightning and Telford Tigers. The Sheffield Steeldogs also picked up a valuable win in overtime over the Bracknell Bees who were also grateful for a point. In a tight race playoff race the Bees point may prove important the chasing Peterborough Phantoms also picked up a point in their shootout lose at the Basingstoke Bison. 

Results

Elite League

Nottingham Panthers 9 Edinburgh Capitals 0

Cardiff Devils 5 Hull Stingrays 3

Braehead Clan 6 Coventry 4

English Premier League

Swindon Wildcats 1 Guildford Flames 9

Milton Keynes Lightning 2 Manchester Phoenix 5

Peterborough Phantoms 6 Basingstoke Bison 7 (APS)

Sheffield Steeldogs 3 Bracknell Bees 2 (AOT)

Telford Tigers 1 Slough Jets 5

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com