Panthers are set to battle Blaze

Nottingham Panthers will face Coventry in the Elite League play-offs after victory over Manchester at the quarter-final stage.

The Panthers won 3-2 in Altrincham on Sunday thanks to goals from David Clarke, Matthew Myers and Brendan Cook.

It means Nottingham go through 9-5 on aggregate after a 6-3 win on Saturday.

Captain Danny Meyers told BBC Radio Nottingham: "We can't wait for Coventry in the semis and our journey isn't finished yet."

The semi-finals will be held at the National Ice Centre on 4 April, with Sheffield meeting Cardiff in the other match of the final four. The final will take place the following day.

Meyers added: "After we couldn't win the league it was a case of wanting to win the play-offs and that's our mentality.

"This is the next step on our journey. Come next Saturday it will be the next one and hopefully it will finish on the Sunday."

Netminder Michel Robinson had an immense weekend letting in just five of the 80 shots he faced over the two games.

Coach Corey Neilson said: "I think this is a prime example of goaltending winning the series.

"I don't often hand out credit to Robbo but this time he really was exceptional. He outplayed their goalie who was pretty good in net as well."

Panthers won the tournament back in 2007 beating Cardiff Devils on penalty shots, but last year missed out on a place in the final four losing to the same team in the quarter-finals.