Neilson's side are top of the Elite League table

Nottingham Panthers coach Corey Neilson has hailed the influence of forward Kevin Bergin following his return to action from an ankle injury.

Bergin missed the first two weekends but is back to full fitness, scoring twice in Saturday's win over Belfast, whilst also fighting Sean McMorrow.

Neilson told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I am very proud of Kevin, he's such a tough man.

"He went out for his first fight and fought the toughest guy in the league."

Bergin scored twice in Saturday's 6-2 victory as Panthers stayed top of the Elite League table.

"Credit to him, he's a tough guy and he did his business for us, got us going and got us fired up and we responded by getting the win," added Neilson.

Bergin also notched an assist so scored a 'Gordie Howe hat-trick', which consists of a goal, an assist and a fight.

The feat is named after NHL legend Howe, who played for Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers over five decades from 1946 to 1980.

"Usually over a season if you were going to fight a guy like McMorrow you'd have a couple of warm up fights and maybe beat a guy like me up," said Neilson.

"I remember the day he (Bergin) beat me up. I fought Bergy in Fort Myers, I was in Pensacola and my coach put me up as a forward and I was so frustrated because our team was so bad.

"I tried to pick a fight and I picked the wrong guy. He hit me once in the head and then in the penalty box he looked at me asking what was I thinking and that was it.

"Then I traded to his team luckily two weeks later with a big lump on my head."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version