Nottingham lose ground after surprise Hull defeat

NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS surrendered a two-goal lead as their bid to make history and claim a ninth successive home win in all EIHL competitions hit the skids against Hull Stingrays.

The struggling Stingrays battled back to win 3-2 with Konstantin Kalmikov's penalty shot sealing the win which will dent Nottingham's hopes of claiming the league title this season with rivals Sheffield claiming maximum points over the weekend.

Things began well for the hosts with Matt Myers bagging his eighth of the season before Juri Golicic doubled the advantage in the 15^th minute.

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RELATED: Sheffield thrash Hull to extend their lead

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But Hull rallied and stunned their hosts with two goals in three minutes.  Firstly Kalmikov struck in the 27^th minute before Jeff Glowa levelled proceedings with half an hour on the clock.

The Panthers had several chances to restore their lead in the third period but the Stingrays stood firm and were awarded a penalty in the 59^th minute as Nottingham goaltender Michel Robinson threw his stick.

Kalmikov made no mistake with the penalty shot to give his team both points and dent Nottingham's title hopes in one of the shock results of the season so far

Elsewhere, Paul Deniset hit a hat trick as Belfast Giants thrashed Manchester Phoenix 8-2 in Manchester.

The game had been tied at two apiece before the Giants hit six without reply to record their sixth straight win, while Manchester have now lost their last four.

Coventry Blaze left Edinburgh with the points after three goals without reply saw the Capitals lose 3-5.

With the hosts leading 3-2 in the third period Blaze piled on the pressure and were rewarded when Jonathan Weaver levelled before a powerplay counter resulted in new signing Blake Forsyth hitting his first goal for the club.

The hosts pulled goaltender Pasi Raitanen inside the final minute in an attempt to salvage a draw but with 26 seconds left on the clock Weaver took advantage to seal the in.