On Tuesday, Nottingham Panthers completed one of the greatest comebacks British Ice hockey has EVER seen! They were in the challenge cup final against the Belfast Giants who everyone probably thought were going to win, after being crowned league champions in February! The Giants led 5-2 after the first leg the Friday before in Belfast and Giants looked to be on their way to a grand slam but the panthers locker room had much better ideas.
Panthers Crush Giants to win challenge cup in dramatic final...
This game was vital for the panthers as their 5th challenge cup in a row was slipping away from them and Giants looked to break the impressive streak! However, Panthers played a mind-blowing game of hockey to have one of their best ever games! They played a fantastic first period and closed the aggregate gap was closed to two when Lynn Loyns fired in a loose puck for 1-0 then later on closed it to one when soon to be hero Petr Kalus fired home for 2-0. The second period was a lot more difficult as Jeff Mason got Giants on the board and 6-4 on aggregate making this a tight competition both on the night and on aggregate as both sides put the pressure on for a great finish.
Some nice play from the Nottingham power-play pulled Giants goalie Stepehn Murphy out of his net for Eric Werner to tap home into the empty net. 3-1.
The GMB panthers now required one goal to tie it and Matt Ryan blasted into the net to make it 6-6 on aggregate going into, what giants never expected after the blistering first leg, overtime! The extra period forced fantastic saves from both goalies to take it to a shootout as both teams missed their first chances but in the second round Petr Kalus, who I said earlier was to be a hero, and he was as Craig Kowalski saved Craig Peacocks final penalty shot and won it for the panthers! Final score on aggregate: Nottingham Panthers 7-6 Belfast Giants! On the night: Panthers 5-1 Giants! Panthers goals and post game interviews (on BBC News East Midlands today) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikNAeY772mI
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