A NOTTINGHAM Panthers team which has divided opinion all season has confounded its critics, for now at least, by going top of the Elite League for the first time this term.
A tremendous weekend featuring a 4-0 win at Hull Stingrays and a 3-1 home success over Coventry Blaze lifted them a point clear of Braehead Clan and Sheffield Steelers.
As recently as last week Steelers were being touted as champions, but they endured a downturn in fortunes with a heavy defeat to Coventry and then a shootout loss to another contender, Belfast Giants.
Such swings in results go to highlight how competitive the league is.
That is one thing the Panthers camp has never lost sight of. Whether they are winning eight in a row, or have fans on their back after defeats to struggling sides, they have maintained an even keel.
Their collective and individual quality was there for all to see at the weekend.
On the individual front, returning netminder Mattias Modig was named man of the match in both games and Chris Higgins scored twice, including a sensational goal in Hull.
Collectively too, the Panthers were back to their best as they let in one goal, while Max Parent showed their unity by rushing to the aid of fallen team-mate Evan Mosey with a well received show of aggression against Coventry.
With four, possibly five, teams vying for the title, it is clear the league is not won in December, but Panthers have shown they are up there with the best all season.
They will now be looking for that consistency which will make them hold off the challenges of other quality teams – starting at Sheffield on Saturday night.
Panthers made a flying start yesterday as Brandon Benedict gave them the lead after 42 seconds. Chris Lawrence did well to set up space for David Clarke and when his shot was saved by Brian Stewart, Benedict was there to stab in his fourth of the season.
Blaze gradually grew into the game and they came close when Ryan O'Marra hit the outside of the post with a quick-fire wrist shot.
There were worrying scenes two minutes later when Modig's pad save flew up into referee Mike Hicks' face.
He was knocked to the ice by the stray puck and fell back down when he first tried to get up but was able to continue after brief medical treatment.
Panthers then spent an extended time on penalty kill after Mosey was given a 2+2 penalty for catching O'Marra in the face with a high stick.
When Parent followed for hooking, they faced a full two minutes of five on three and then 40 seconds a man down.
Modig made one superb save to deny Justin DaCosta but otherwise the hosts protected their goal superbly.
The second period was played under dimmed lights after some of the bulbs failed in the National Ice Centre. Panthers looked like they might light up Coventry for a spell as they made it 2-0 after 21.17.
Rob Lachowicz did well to feed the puck in front and Higgins was there to knock in his second of the season and second in as many games.
Mosey was the next man to be dumped to the ice, this time by a terrible hit from behind by Jakub Sindel, who received a game misconduct penalty.
Parent reacted by flying at Sindel and dumping him to the ground to protect his team-mate with the crowd offering rapturous support. That put Panthers on an extended power play, but they gave up a shorthanded goal after 26.15 when Higgins lost control and Coventry broke away to score through Russell Cowley.
It was 3-1 24 seconds later though as Bruce Graham got a power play goal, although a defenceman got the final touch. Both goaltenders were excellent thereafter with Modig denying Jereme Tendler twice on breakaways.
At the other end, Stewart kept out Graham, Lawrence and Clarke. When they were beaten the bar came to their rescue with Steve Lee seeing his shot cannon out for Panthers and player/coach Steven Goertzen for Blaze.
The opening stages of the third period lacked the same fireworks, although Jonathan Boxill was required to clear off the line after a scramble in front. With 5.07 left Panthers had a penalty shot after Mosey was hauled down on a breakaway, but Stewart continued his good night with a big save.
Modig enjoyed a shutout on his return to Panthers as they won at Hull. The Swedish netminder is back for the rest of the season as Craig Kowalski's injury problems continue.
Modig picked up where he left off from his previous six game spell. Those in front were equally efficient – especially in the second period.
Panthers dominated the first without one of their 19 shots on goal finding the back of the net. They only managed eight in the second, but they led to three unanswered goals.
Before taking charge, the away side had to kill 42 seconds of five on three power play. Panthers then had 18 seconds of a five on three advantage in their favour – and they used 17 of them before scoring.
Lawrence got the goal, his 10th of the season, after 31.49 with Greg Jacina and Clarke picking up assists.
Higgins had his first Panthers goal after 36.43 thanks to an audacious drag back and finish. Graham got the assist and he followed that with the third goal, shorthanded with 34 seconds left in the period.
Panthers will play Fife Flyers in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup on dates to be confirmed.
