NOTTINGHAM Panthers put on one those 'I was there' performances to stay in with a chance of reaching the Continental Cup Super Final with a simply sensational 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan champions Yertis Pavlodar in Asiago.
Coming from behind in the first period, they took a 2-1 lead with goals just two minutes apart in the second period from Lynn Loyns and Brandon Benedict.
And with their fans' constant chanting from the stands spurring them on, they remained disciplined and brave as Yertis through everything at them in a thrilling final period.
They now face hosts Asiago on Sunday evening in what could be, depending on other results, a winner takes all game.
The injury problems that have plagued Panthers all season struck once again as they faced a must win game at the Palaodegar stadium.
For the second match in the Continental Cup 'semi-final' stage in Italy, young Brit Rob Lachowicz – injured in the first period during Friday's last-gasp defeat to Russians Toros Neftekamsk – joined the list of absentees, with a muscle strain.
But despite other players battered and bruised also suffering knocks after that bitterly fought first game, Panthers made a great start, putting Yertis under pressure from the off.
With Jon Boxill replacing Lachowicz on the Matt Francis line Panthers should have gone in front when Leigh Salters mis-hit in front of goal in the opening two minutes.
And they forced the Kazakhs into successive penalties, leading to a 5-on-3 powerplay for over a minute which, for a team with such an impressive success record, unfortunately came to nothing.
But when Yertis enjoyed a two-man advantage - Petr Kalus and Matt Francis in the box – they took full advantage with Denis Rehak opening the scoring (11.39) backhanded after goalie Neil Conway was pulled out of position for the first shot.
After being heavily outshot 4/19 under sustained pressure, Panthers hung on to the first break and were hoping for better luck in the second period.
But four minutes in, they were again grateful to Conway when he kept out Huna as he burst into the zone.
With coach Corey Neilson switching his lines, Panthers seemed to grow in stature and we saw a first shift for Joonas Saari and his energy seemed to re-ignite his team, Panthers were now starting to exert some control down the walls. And after Salters had gone close with a redirection attempt, Yertis no.8 Rehak was penalised for tripping and Panthers at last got a powerplay to stick.
After a clever setup, good work by Jon Weaver and Joe Jensen found Lynn Loyns who slipped the puck home (29.20) much to the delight of the travelling fans.
And just over two minutes later, they were up on their feet again as Panthers went in front.
A great outlet pass from defence saw Kalus go clear and as David Clarke picked up his drop pass and fed the front of the net, Brandon Benedict was there to force the puck home (31.45).
The Nottingham fans were really lifting their team with incessant chanting from the corner of the arena and after seeing off a penalty to Brent Henley, it was all Panthers, forcing Yertis into more penalty problems as the period drew to a close.
The third period started with Panthers on a one minute 26 second powerplay which proved unsuccessful but Panthers were once more in the ascendancy and forced another penalty when Svitana was holding Clarke's stick, but Yertis again held firm.
Yet another powerplay was squandered by Panthers who were looking for another goal to keep their interest in the competition alive.
The last thing they wanted was to take a penalty themselves and with 11 minutes remaining Francis was off for hooking and when that was killed, Loyns went for the same offence with desperate defence keeping Yertis at bay.
Clarke was then amazingly penalised after having his stick ripped out of his hands only to be followed to the sin-bin by Pavlodar's Bolf for a high stick on Henley as the game became increasingly frantic, four on four, with Yertis trying everything they can to snatch that equaliser.
Another Yertis penalty followed as Panthers went on another powerplay, and trying not to get caught on the break.
With 1:10 left and the fans again going at full tilt, Neilson called a time-out, just reminding his players of their duties as Yertis pulled their netminder for an extra skater, making it 5-on-5 and then 5-on-6.
But Panthers hung on for a great victory that will be talked about for years.
Match facts
YERTIS PAVLODAR 1, PANTHERS 2
(1-0, 0-2, 0-0)
Panthers scorers: Loyns, Benedict 1+0; Jensen, Weaver, Clarke, Kalus 0+1
Shot on goal: Yertis 42, Panthers 19 (19/4, 12/10, 11/5)
Penalty mins: Yertis 30, Panthers 12 (6/4, 6/2, 18/6)
Referees: G Schukies (Ger), T Wehrli (Sui).
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