The Nottingham Panthers leapt back into the Elite League’s playoff picture on Wednesday [21 February], overcoming the Cardiff Devils in dramatic fashion to move within four points of the postseason places.
Jonathan Paredes’ side trailed 4-2 at the midway point, but scored three times in the back half to end the Devils’ remarkable 12-game win streak.
“It was a great comeback and a great team effort tonight,” the Frenchman said of his team’s performance.
“We had some trouble in our defensive zone at the start, but we came back into the game once we corrected that. The guys had a great push at the end of the second period and throughout the third period, I’m really happy with the team effort tonight.”
Cardiff opened the scoring within two minutes of puck drop, with Brandon Alderson breaking the deadlock for Pete Russell’s side.
However, Nottingham quickly snapped back on home ice, scoring twice in a thirty-second span to take the lead after five minutes.
The Devils responded with a trio of unanswered goals, but were unable to keep pace with the Panthers in the final period and saw their unbeaten run evaporate thanks to goals from Hugo Roy and Joe Hazeldine.
“In the last twenty minutes, we were very good,” added Paredes. “I think we had one post, but we played well with the puck and started to skate quicker. You could see our structure and our plan tonight, which is pleasing because the boys were very focused tonight.”
Analysis: Are the Nottingham Panthers back in the playoff picture?
There is no doubt that the Nottingham Panthers were on pace to make the playoffs and earn a favourable seeding before tragedy struck earlier this season.
The Panthers started the campaign with a blistering 7-2-1 record, developing impressive chemistry under new head coach Jonathan Paredes.
They returned to the ice on 26 November and went 2-10-2, tumbling to the bottom of the standings amid awful circumstances.
The Panthers were in an extremely dark place and it showed on the ice.
But they have turned a corner in recent weeks and could yet fight their way into the playoffs.
“We work every day on ourselves,” explained Paredes.
“We look at the other team and talked about the 12-game run in the scouting report, but we our focused on us at the same time. Cardiff is a really good team, they are not second in the table for nothing, and we knew that we had to play our style.
“I’m not sure if it is a question of confidence because every day we have to come back, focus, and reset. We just need to keep fighting and keep working hard, that is our story more than ever this season.”
Playoff Picture: Alexander Lunsjö, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
The Panthers sit four points outside the playoff positions with 17 games left to play, including seven against the three teams directly above them in the standings (Manchester Storm, Glasgow Clan, Fife Flyers).
“We’re very proud of the guys and the fans who have supported us all season,” added Paredes.
“We’re very happy to have four home wins in a row because it is not easy, but we will start looking at the next game tomorrow.”
February has been an exceptional month for Nottingham, with their comeback win over Cardiff the latest demonstration of their ability to go toe-to-toe against the best teams in the Elite League.
Logan Neilson’s emergence as a third-line scoring threat should give the organisation confidence.
The 21-year-old has six points (four goals, two assists) in four appearances and looks at home on the wing of two-way centreman Westin Michaud.
If he and the Panthers continue to produce, they won’t just make the playoffs. They’ll be prime upset candidates in round one.
