Elite Ice Hockey League: Nottingham Panthers defeat Cardiff Devils

David Ling: Scored hat-trick in Nottingham Panthers victory

Nottingham Panthers recorded a second-straight Elite League victory thanks to a comfortable 4-2 success over Cardiff Devils.

The home side dominated large portions of the game at the Capital FM Arena, outshooting their opponents by 49 to 21 as the Devils had goaltender Phil Osaer to thank for keeping them in the game.

David Ling led from the front for the Panthers, the experienced Canadian scoring two goals in the first period and eventually going on to complete his hat-trick.

Ling opened the scoring at 6.39 and doubled Nottingham's advantage with 36 seconds left in the opening period, but the Devils pulled a goal back early in the second period through Mac Faulkner.

Matt Francis then put the Panthers back ahead on a powerplay at 26.21 and the game was killed off when Ling completed his treble at the start of the third period.

Phil Hill added a second for Cardiff at 49.02 but it was the hosts who were on the front foot for the remainder of the game, with Osaer's heroics preventing them from securing a bigger win.