Nottingham Panthers' hopes of retaining their play-off crown ended in dramatic fashion with a 7-6 aggregate defeat against Cardiff Devils.

Panthers were beaten 4-3 by Cardiff in the home leg on Saturday.

But they cruised into a 2-0 lead in Sunday's return in Wales with goals from Patrik Wallenberg and Johan Molin.

Max Birbraer pulled a goal back and although Kevin Bergin made it 3-1, two Sylvain Deschatelets goals saw Cardiff secure a 3-3 draw to progress.

Report: Cardiff Devils 3-3 Nottingham Panthers

The bounces didn't come and we had a couple of chances that we missed and that happens Mike Ellis

Panthers coach Mike Ellis was unhappy with his side's sloppy final period in Wales.

"The third period plan was to go after them but we didn't do that," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I thought we were being too cautious. We were constantly yelling at them to press but the bounces didn't come and we had a couple of chances that we missed and that happens."

But the damage was done at the National Ice Centre on Saturday night as Devils raced into a 2-0 advantage through a shorthanded strike by Deschatelets and Matus Petricko's 20th goal of the season.

Panthers pulled a goal back on the powerplay with Jon Coleman finding the target but Brad Voth restored Cardiff's two-goal lead with 41 seconds of the period remaining.

Birbraer extended that lead in the second period but Panthers showed great character to come back strongly in the third.

Wallenberg netted his 33rd goal of the season to make it 4-2 and Matthew Myers made it 4-3 on the night late on.