The Cardiff Devils and Nottingham Panthers both came from behind twice to ensure that neither team had an advantage for their second leg match in the Challenge Cup semi final.

The Cardiff Devils opened the scoring through Joey Haddad on the power play. Ollie Betteridge opted to close the passing lane instead of closing down Haddad which proved to be very costly. Charles Linglet and Joey Martin were awarded the assists.

The Nottingham Panthers had a opportunity to tie the game up. A shot from Brett Perlini was cleared off the goal line by his own teammate, Jordan Kelsall.

Mike McNamee almost doubled the Devils lead after his shot cannoned off the crossbar midway through the first period.

First Period: Cardiff Devils 1-0 Nottingham Panthers

Nottingham did manage to tie the game up early into the second period as Jordan Kelsall made up for his earlier mistake with a goal. Ryan Harvart was awarded the assist.

Jake Hansen turned the game on its head as his ferocious slap shot beat Ben Bowns to put the Panthers ahead. The assists went to Daniel Fick and Brian Connelly.

Brett Perlini managed to squeeze the puck through Bowns five hole and give the Panthers a two-goal cushion. Georgs Golovkovs and Josh Tetlow had an assist put net to their name thanks to the goal.

Second Period: Cardiff Devils 1-3 Nottingham Panthers

Masi Marjamaki closed the gap to one as he kept his cool in front of goal. Mark Richardson and Joey Martin were awarded the assists.

Joey Martin tied the game up at 3-3 after the puck fell kindly to him in front of the goal. Charles Linglet and Joey Haddad had the assists.

Nottingham retook the lead through Ollie Betteridge. As the four on four ended it was timed perfectly by the Panthers to have an advanatage. Brian Connelly made a slick pass for Betteridge to tuck the puck away.

Blair Riley pulled the Devils back into the game after Masi Marjamaki’s hard work gave him the easier said than done task of beating Kevin Carr. Joey Martin picked up his third assist of the night.

Matt Pope put the Devils infront for the first time in a while with a well placed shot over Kevin Carr. Mike McNamee and Sean Bentivoglio had the assists.

The Panthers tied the game up through Julian Talbot after he was assisted by Guillaume Lepine and Jacob Hansen.

Stars

Star One: Joey Martin

Star Two: Ollie Betteridge

Star Three: Sam Jardine