CHAMPIONS! PANTHERS CLAIM THE CONTINENTAL CUP
Saturday, January 17, 2026 - 10:30 PM
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In an exhilarating showdown at the Motorpoint Arena, a spirited crowd of over 6,500 witnessed the Nottingham Panthers triumph over Kazakhstan's Torpedo with a score of 4-2 in the Gold Medal Game, securing the prestigious Continental Cup. This victory not only marks a significant achievement for the Panthers but also establishes them as the first team from the UK to win this coveted trophy since their previous success in 2017.
Starting strong, Kevin Carr took his position as the primary goalie, while Luca Sheldon served as his backup. The team saw a crucial lineup change with Johnny Curran stepping in to replace Matt Marcinew, who was sidelined due to an injury sustained during Friday’s impressive 4-0 win against Katowice.
Panthers Take the Lead After a Tightly Contested First Period
The first period unfolded with both teams engaged in a tense battle where clear scoring opportunities were scarce. David Noël and Matt Alfaro came close to breaking the deadlock for the Panthers, while Carr showcased his skills by successfully saving a critical shot from Erik Aldabergenov, keeping the game scoreless.
The Panthers finally broke through on a delayed penalty call when Tim Doherty and Nolan Volcan worked seamlessly to set up Matt Spencer, who made a decisive move into the right circle and scored at 19:17.
A Flurry of Goals Within Just 69 Seconds
As the game progressed into the second period, Didrik Henbrant was thwarted by a fantastic save from Torpedo's Vladislav Pestov right from the slot. Meanwhile, Volcan attempted to drive toward the net but struggled to get a clean shot off. After some back-and-forth action, Torpedo's Stepan Rifel made a significant attempt with a wrist shot that Carr adeptly saved. Then, in a remarkable turn of events, the Panthers scored two goals within a mere 69 seconds, extending their lead to three goals as they headed into the second intermission.
Henbrant and Volcan collaborated effectively down the left side, setting up Bryan Lemos for a well-placed shot in the slot at 34:25. Shortly thereafter, Cooper Zech executed a successful penalty shot on his backhand after a Torpedo defenseman illegally handled the puck in the crease, scoring at 35:34.
Garát Secures the Win with an Empty-Net Goal
As the game neared its conclusion, Spencer and Lemos both nearly increased the score, while Carr continued to perform admirably, stopping attempts from Maxim Musorov as Torpedo desperately sought to mount a comeback. With only moments left, Stanislav Borovikov managed to break the shutout by scoring through traffic at 58:29, followed by a deflected shot from Mikhail Rakhmanov during a six-on-five situation that got past Carr at 59:04—this led to a tense ending.
However, Zsombor Garát eased the nerves of the Panthers' supporters by scoring an empty-net goal from his own zone at 59:48, allowing the passionate #PanthersNation to erupt in celebration as the clock wound down, marking yet another monumental trophy victory for the team.
IIHF 2026 Continental Cup Results
Wednesday, January 14
Red Group: Angers 1-4 Herning Blue Fox
Blue Group: HK Mogo 0-4 Panthers
Thursday, January 15
Red Group: Herning Blue Fox 2-6 HC Torpedo
Blue Group: GKS Katowice 3-2 HK Mogo (shootout)
Friday, January 16
Red Group: HC Torpedo 2-3 Angers (overtime)
Blue Group: Panthers 4-0 GKS Katowice
Saturday, January 17
Placement Game: Angers 3-4 Mogo
Bronze Medal Game: Herning 3-2 Katowice (shootout)
Gold Medal Game: Panthers 4-2 Torpedo
For complete tournament standings and statistics, click here. (https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2026/ccfinal)
With such a remarkable victory, how do you think this win will impact the future of hockey in the UK? Share your thoughts and feelings about the game below!
