Nottingham Panthers made a statement at the Motorpoint Arena on Wednesday night, dismantling Dundee Stars 5-1 in EIHL action to move their play-off credentials up another notch. Five different scorers, a power play opener, and a second period that effectively killed the contest — this was the Panthers at their most clinical.

For Dundee, it was a fourth defeat in five games. The Stars showed brief signs of life when Kris Inglis levelled early in the first period, but Nottingham's quality told over sixty minutes and there was ultimately no way back.

Panthers strike first — then Dundee hit back

The opening exchanges were competitive enough, but it was Nottingham who drew first blood. Matthew Marcinew converted on the power play at 8:41, assisted by Didrik Henbrant and Cooper Zech, to give the home side the lead — though not without controversy. The referees immediately called for a video review to check whether the puck had fully crossed the line. The decision came back inconclusive, and the goal stood.

Dundee weren't rattled. Kris Inglis levelled things up at 11:05, finishing well from Matthew Boudens and Craig Garrigan's work, and for a spell the Stars looked capable of causing an upset. The first period ended level at 1-1, with both sides still in it.

The second period was where this match turned decisively in Nottingham's favour.

Tim Doherty restored the Panthers' lead just before the first intermission buzzer, scoring at 19:07 with Noel and Lemos providing the assists — a crucial goal to take into the break with. Nottingham then dominated the second period from the off. Nolan Volcan made it 3-1 at 37:29, with Jakob Stridsberg and Henbrant combining to set him up, before Ross Armour added a fourth at 39:27 — two goals in under two minutes to effectively end the contest as a competition.

By the second intermission, it was 4-1. Dundee's Garrigan was penalised for hooking midway through the period, though the Stars couldn't capitalise going the other way either. The game had long since been decided.

Noel rounds things off

The third period was largely a case of Nottingham managing the result, though there was still time for a flare-up. Dundee's Drydn Dow picked up a double penalty — slashing and roughing — at 53:56, with Henbrant also penalised simultaneously for the same offences as the officials stepped in to restore order.

David Noel wrapped things up at 49:31, finishing from Oliver Betteridge and Zsombor Garat to complete a thoroughly convincing evening's work. Final score: 5-1.

Kevin Carr was solid throughout in the Panthers' goal, rarely troubled after the first period. Emil Kruse had a far busier night between the pipes for Dundee, facing a relentless Nottingham attack for large stretches of the game.

With 6,767 fans inside the Motorpoint Arena, this was a home crowd that got exactly what they came to see. Nottingham look sharp heading into the business end of the season — five different players on the scoresheet speaks to a squad with real depth.

For Dundee, four losses in five is a worrying run of form. The Stars' offence showed some early promise but were ultimately outclassed by a Panthers side operating at a different level on the night.