Corey Neilson buoyed by Nottingham's perfect start

Jade Galbraith nets for Panthers against Belfast

Nottingham Panthers coach Corey Neilson says his side's perfect start to the Elite League season has sent a clear message to the rest of the league.

Panthers beat title rivals Belfast Giants 4-3 and Coventry Blaze 7-4 on the opening weekend.

Neilson told BBC Radio Nottingham: "Our intention is to win the championship - that is our primary goal.

"We have the snowball rolling and teams are starting to take notice. It's early doors but I like what I see so far."

Sunday's win away against reigning league champions Blaze was particularly sweet.

Panthers took a 4-3 lead going into the first break after a frantic period in which they also hit the post three occasions.

Man-of-the-match Billy Ryan had a three-point night including an empty-net goal, while Matthew Myers, David Clarke, Jade Galbraith, Ian McDonald, Neilson and David Beauregard were also on target.

Player-coach Neilson added: "Once we got going, we started to do some great things.

"Tactically we were pretty sharp on our cycles and keeping possession in the offensive zone, setting some people free and using time and space. I was pretty impressed.

"I thought we showed a lot of professional maturity. They are a very strong team and we expect to be going down to the wire with guys like them throughout the season."

On Saturday Panthers secured a thrilling 4-3 home penalty-shot win over last-season's league runners-up Belfast thanks to Galbraith's strike.

Neilson's side trailed 2-0 after a sloppy start but David Clarke halved the deficit before the first period was over.

Beauregard and Myers put Nottingham 3-2 ahead early in the third before Brett Hemingway levelled late on.