Nottingham Panthers' Elite League title hopes suffered a huge blow with a 5-3 defeat at leaders Coventry on Sunday.

Greg Chambers fired the hosts ahead and although goals from Jade Galbraith and David Clarke put Panthers 2-1 up, Greg Owen and Danny Stewart made it 3-2.

Cameron Mann tied the scores but Blaze took the points in the final period thanks to a Brad Cruikshank goal and an empty-net effort from Russell Cowley.

Coventry are now five points clear of Panthers with two games in hand.

Panthers went into the match brimming with confidence following Saturday's 9-1 drubbing of Hull Stingrays at the Ice Centre.

An awesome attacking display saw Mann and Clarke both claim hat-tricks, with two goals for Sean McAslan and one for Marty Gascon.

But despite a spirited effort in an often fiery encounter at the Skydome on Sunday, Panthers could not gain the win they so desperately wanted to close the gap and increase the pressure on their hosts.

Nottingham are next in action on Wednesday when they host Sheffield Steelers in the second leg of the Challenge Cup semi-final. Panthers lead 4-2 after the first leg.

You can now subscribe to BBC Radio Nottingham's Nottingham Panthers podcast for exclusive news and behind-the-scenes access to the players and characters at the club.

This weekly free download is presented by Chris Ellis, published every Thursday during the season and compiled from Panthers Powerplay bulletins on BBC Radio Nottingham.

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