With fourth place already solidified for the Storm, Matt Ginn and the team were looking to carry on their impressive form and build even more momentum heading into the playoffs next weekend.

The Panthers still had a slim chance of making the post season games if they secured four points this weekend and other results went their way. It was the Panthers who struck first in the Storm Shelter, with just two minutes gone, when Pare made a dash up the right wing and dispatched a fast wrist shot which beat Weninger up high into the roof of the net.

A real back and forth ten minutes ensued with chances at both ends. Connor Lee coming the closest with a nice play and shot which was only denied by the imposing figure of Stojanovic in the Panthers net. Storm peppered the Panthers net in the final phases of the period with shot after shot wearing down the visitors defence. And this pressure paid off when Critchlow converted from the slot to tie the game. Somewhat against the run of play the Panthers regained their lead seconds before the first break when McGurty combined well with Neill to beat Weninger at the back post. The Panthers’ momentum continued into the new period as Pare struck again for his second of the game – beating Weninger with an accurate and well timed shot from the right to extend the lead. Storm responded well with some positive offensive play but failed to convert as again the visitors extended their advantage to put them up by three.

It was Henbrant who took a speculative shot from the blue line which took several deflections on route to back of the net. A barrage of shots and sustained attack for the Storm couldn’t break the Panthers defence as they held strong to deny a comeback in period two. A largely uneventful final period saw little in the way of golden scoring opportunities for either side. A consolation goal for the Storm however somewhat softened the loss, and it was Brice who buried the puck after a nice build up play from Ehrhardt and Lee. The Panthers taking the two points with a 4-2 scoreline.