Ice Hockey: Panthers hit by Bishop injury scare

Nottingham Panthers are awaiting a specialist's report on the back injury sustained by Mike Bishop during Saturday's Super-league victory at home to Basingstoke Bison.

The 33-year-old defender collapsed four minutes into the 3-2 victory with back spasms. X-rays showed no break, but a spinal expert is to examine Bishop, who has been allowed out of hospital but is still in pain.

Inspired netminding by the former Sheffield Steeler, Wayne Cowley, almost denied his former team a crucial Superleague win, but the Steelers hit back from 2-0 down to beat Cowley's Newcastle Cobras 3-2 in overtime.

In The Express Cup, an eight-team competition for Superleague sides, Ayr Scottish Eagles maintained their 100 per cent record with a fifth consecutive win, 5-3 over Basingstoke Bison.

Manchester Storm led Nottingham Panthers 3-1 after the first 20 minutes, but the Superleague leaders came back to win 6-5, Kraig Neinhaus sealing his hat-trick with the winner, 36 seconds into sudden death.