Video: Highlights of the Panthers title clinching the win over Ritten Sport (Panthers TV)
Nottingham Panthers have made history by becoming the first British ice hockey team to win a major European trophy.
The Panthers secured the title after a 4-1 victory over Continental Cup hosts Italian Ritten Sport on Sunday.
Coach Corey Neilson, who spoke to Panthers Radio with Xynomix after the final game said: “It was a great day, we came into the tournament confident knowing that if we did our thing we would have success.
“Its just been a fun ride, you go to Spain and then you end up in Denmark and then all of a sudden you are in Italy playing for another championship.”
The club issued a statement on the success and said: “This is one of the greatest achievements in the history of the GMB Nottingham Panthers. It is right up there with winning the treble and it meant the world to everyone on the ice, in the stands and watching at home.
“To become the first British team in the modern era to win a European competition is remarkable for us and the league as a whole. It puts British hockey on the world map and shows that we are just as good as some of the top European leagues.
“We were the lowest-ranked team going into the finals but we knew that if we could just play Panthers hockey, we would surprise everyone watching.
“We’re delighted to have done that and it really cannot be put into words how happy we are.”
Scenes in @saltboxnotts as the dream was finalised. The Panthers are the first ever British team to win a European title in the modern era pic.twitter.com/8e4VH7ROAu
— Nottingham Panthers (@PanthersIHC) January 15, 2017
Messages congratulating the team on their success poured in on Twitter from fans, players and even the Lord Mayor of Nottingham.
Congratulations @PanthersIHC on a fantastic win and for making history as well! https://t.co/W52PglVVaa
— LordMayorOfNottm (@LordMayorNottm) January 16, 2017
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the huge triumph @PanthersIHC completed last night. They Played 3games in 3days and WON all 3…
— Matthew Dodd (@Doddy1601) January 16, 2017
Congratulations to @jeffreybreeze and the @PanthersIHC on winning the Continental Cup! pic.twitter.com/WJz9dtyNT3
— Connor Brown (@Breeze2Greeze) January 15, 2017
Panthers forward Brad Moran was the leading goal scorer of the tournament, with two goals in three games.
The team travel back to Nottingham today and will have a rest day tomorrow before practice resumes Wednesday in time for Fridays game away at Belfast Giants before returning home to face the Fife Flyers Sunday.
