Nottingham Panthers 6, Newcastle Vipers 2

Mar 5 2008 The Journal

A THREE-goal salvo in the final period made it six defeats in a row for the Vipers against the Panthers who, worryingly, will probably be their play-off opponents.

The teams had left the ice for the second break tied at 2-2 but the Panthers quickly asserted their mastery, with Patrik Wallenberg putting them ahead for the third time on 44 minutes.

Two 49th-minute goals by Kevin Burgin completed his hat-trick and ensured a third successive away and fourth defeat in a row for the out-of-form Vipers.

Rob Wilson’s side was then hit for six on 51 minutes when Steve Pelletier completed the rout.

The Panthers’ impressive former NHL netminder Tom Askey, who had shut out Vipers twice this season, was rested with a niggling injury, his place being taken by Geoff Woolhouse.

It was, however, the Vipers’ Ryan MacDonald who had the task of retrieving the puck from the back of his net on nine minutes after it had been put there by Burgin.

The now-routine clash of the heavyweights then took place, with Vipers enforcer Andre Payette swapping blows with Ryan Shmyr.

While both men were in the penalty box, the Vipers’ exciting first line got into gear on 14 minutes. Derek Campbell and Colin Shields created the chance and Todd Jackson capitalised.

Corey Neilson became the second Panther to score on 26 minutes. Just over three minutes later the Vipers were back on level terms countering a Panthers powerplay, with Campbell doing it all on his own for his 18th goal of the season.

NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS: Burgin 3+0, Neilson and Pelletier 1+1, Coleman, Ferrara, McAslam, Myers and Shmyr 0+1.

MOBILX NEWCASTLE VIPERS: D Campbell 1+1, Jackson 1+0, Shields 0+1.