Panthers Claim European Glory on Home Ice
The Nottingham Panthers have secured their second IIHF Continental Cup championship, defeating Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk 4-2 in the gold medal game on home ice, marking a historic moment for British ice hockey. Danny Stewart’s side regained the title they last held in 2017, delighting a near-capacity crowd at the Motorpoint Arena in January 2026.
A Hard-Fought Final Victory
The championship match showcased the Panthers’ resilience and skill. Matt Spencer opened the scoring in the 17th minute, converting a delayed penalty, before Nolan Volcan set up Bryan Lemos in the right face-off circle, with Lemos firing his one-timer over the goalkeeper’s glove. Cooper Zech added a penalty shot goal to give Nottingham a commanding 3-0 lead.
Despite late goals from Stanislav Borovikov and Mikhail Rakhmanov bringing Kazakhstan’s champions within striking distance, Zsombor Garat sealed the victory with an empty-net goal to secure the 4-2 win.
Dominant Tournament Performance
The Panthers completed the group stage undefeated with a 2-0-0 record, scoring eight goals whilst conceding none. Their journey included a 4-0 victory over Latvia’s HK Mogo with Kevin Carr securing an impressive 20-shot shutout, followed by another 4-0 triumph against GKS Katowice, with Jason Grande recording a second successive shut-out.
Significance for British Ice Hockey
This Continental Cup triumph holds immense significance for the Panthers and British ice hockey. The team also remains three points clear at the top of the Elite League table, demonstrating their dominance both domestically and internationally. The tournament, hosted at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, provided an electric atmosphere with passionate home support driving the team to victory. This championship reinforces the Panthers’ status as one of Europe’s elite ice hockey clubs and brings prestigious silverware back to the United Kingdom.
