Nottingham Panthers coach Corey Neilson was disappointed his side managed only a 2-2 draw at Hull in their opening Challenge Cup fixture on Sunday.

Goals from Jade Galbraith and Marc Levers were not enough to overcome an under-strength Stingrays outfit.

"We struggled a little bit," Neilson told BBC Radio Nottingham. "But the focus was good - I thought the guys played hard."

"Sometimes it was just not as smart as I would have liked."

Neilson continued: "The shifts got a little long; the passes got a little bit too long; we held onto the puck a little bit too long.

"Sometimes in our game, if it gets long like that, then we're not going to have as much success as when we're making those short, quick passes."

The Panthers' next tie in Challenge Cup Group B is on 26 October, when Coventry Blaze visit the National Ice Centre.