Nottingham Panthers held by Hull in Challenge Cup

Billy Ryan (right) in action for Nottingham against Edinburgh

Billy Ryan scored twice in Saturday's 7-1 victory over Edinburgh Capitals

Nottingham Panthers need at least a draw from their final Challenge Cup match to progress into the semi-finals after failing to win at Hull on Sunday.

Panthers had a miserable, delayed trip up north which also saw their coach break down and they struggled early on.

Konstantin Kalmikov put the hosts ahead on the powerplay in the third period.

Rob Bellamy levelled and Panthers piled forward but they were unable to find a winner and must avoid defeat at Cardiff Devils on 18 December to go through.

Panthers, Cardiff and Sheffield Steelers are now all level on nine points at the top of their five-team group.

The top two teams go through to the knock-out stages and a win in Wales would see Panthers qualify as group winners.

Sheffield are currently top but have played all eight of their fixtures so a draw would see see both Corey Neilson's side and Cardiff progress.

But the losers of the match in the Welsh capital would be eliminated as Sheffield would get the second qualification spot as teams tied on points are separated by most wins and then goal difference.

Needing at least a draw in Cardiff was something Neilson's Challenge Cup holders were confident of avoiding heading into the match against the struggling Stingrays.

But the team's delayed trip to Hull and a slow start on the ice saw them trailing 1-0 with 10 minutes left.

Bellamy's strike drew Panthers level but the closest they came to grabbing a winner was when David Clarke hit the bar.

The result was all the more surprising given their recent fine form and the thumping 7-1 win over Edinburgh Capitals at the National Ice Centre on Saturday, in which Bellamy and Billy Ryan both recorded three-point nights.

Panthers, now three points behind leaders Belfast with three games in hand, never looked in any danger from the moment Bellamy fed Ryan to open the scoring after just 49 seconds.

David-Alexandre Beauregard and Angel Nikolov were both on target as the hosts stormed into a 3-0 lead.

Capitals replied but a second goal for Ryan and further efforts from Alex Penner, Bellamy and Ian McDonald ensured a resounding home win.