Nottingham Panthers beat Braehead Clan 5-4 in the Elite League Challenge Cup quarter-final first leg, but they won’t be happy after allowing the visitors back into the tie.

Goals by David Clarke, Stephen Schultz, David Ling and Logan MacMillan saw Panthers open up a 4-0 lead by the end of the period, before Clan fought back in the middle session through Stefan Meyer and Matt Keith.

Matthew Myers made it 5-2 midway through the third, but Keith again and Thomas Nesbitt closed the gap to one to set up a fascinating second leg at Braehead.

Belfast Giants have one foot in the semi-final after a 5-2 win at Manchester Storm in the first leg of their quarter-final.

Brandon Benedict, Craig Peacock, Mitch Ganzak, Mike Radja and Darryl Lloyd got the Giants’ goals.

Sheffield Steelers are through to the last four after a 7-6 aggregate victory against Fife Flyers.

Fife won 4-3 in Sheffield last night, but Sheffield’s 4-2 first leg success in Kirkcaldy was just enough to see them through.

(Image permission: Karl Denham)