Devils make late comeback to beat Panthers in Challenge Cup opener

Cardiff Devils began their 2025-26 season with a 6-3 comeback win over the Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup.

Ryan Barrow, back for a third season with the Devils, put the visitors ahead at the Motorpoint Arena while shorthanded.

The Panthers took until the second period to get going, but scored three quick-fire goals when they finally did.

Bryan Lemos levelled the score, before Matt Marcinew gave Nottingham a first lead of the evening and David Noel made it 3-1 three minutes later.

On a power-play former Panther Kristoff Kontos scored on his competitive Devils debut to give Cardiff hope late in the second period.

And the Devils continued their momentum into the final period, equalising on another power-play through Nolan Yaremko.

The comeback was complete when Cardiff-born Ben Davies scored off a Cedric Lacroix assist to put the Devils 4-3 up.

Two goals in the final two minutes put the result beyond doubt, as summer signing Brandon Estes and Cole Sanford got in on the scoring.

The Devils return to south Wales to host Sheffield Steelers on Sunday, January 14, while the Panthers travel south to play Guildford Flames.