FIXTURE LIST WITH LINKS TO MEMORABLE GAMES

The BIHA changed import regulations again this season. There were two import categories, A, unrestricted (like Adey, Farley & later Dorian) & B, British team qualified (like Kurtenbach). Then there were A, British players (Waghorn, Weber, Hunt, etc;) and B, British players, (Kelland). The shortage of B British players meant that the Premier clubs voted to allow a forth import for clubs without a player thus qualified. However the plan was that such an import should not have played major hockey and be of no higher standard than Junior B or College. (Nightmare).
"The team’s looking good. You look at 18 year olds like Hunt, Perkins and Waghorn and they’re veterans. We’re a young side and we’re going to have to balance bringing the kids through to give them experience without losing games. But with the right compliment of imports and a guy like Kelland, we should be in a position to challenge." (Alex Dampier) By the middle of October, Farley had been released, having failed to gell with Adey. He was replaced by Dan Dorian a 28 year old American, who had been released by Solihul after they suffered money troubles.
After a successful Autumn Cup campaign, and a 13-10 aggregate victory over Cardiff Devils, Panthers made the final.
A successful league campaign saw Panthers finish second behind Champions Durham. Following a mixed play offs Panthers met neighbours Peterborough Pirates in the semi-finals at Wembley and saw them off 7-3. On the following day the final took place, in which the Panthers went down by the odd goal in 13 against the Durham Wasps.
One contentious point that might have had a crucial effect on the final outcome was Mike Blaisdell’s cross-check on Simon Hunt, in the final minute of the 1st period. Hunt was left with a suspected dislocated jaw, which proved eventually to be severely bruised. Although he missed the last period due to the pain. Blaisdell received 2+2 Cross-check +Unsportsmanlike. Many watchers felt that in another game on another night and at a lesser venue than Wembley with the TV cameras, he might well have ended his game there and then. For his part Dampier had no doubts, "Hunt’s jaw was displaced and that was bullshit. You know, if that had been a regular game then Blaisdell would have gone. If Hunty had hit him like that he would have gone for sure"
Autumn Cup winners and runners-up in the league and Championships, there’s no doubt it had been a very good year. Dampier was pleased with the way the side had developed, in a season which saw Ashley Tait and Marc Twaite promoted to the 1st team. " The problem is having to put them out against professionals. Like when Simon Hunt got hurt on the hit with Blaisdell, you’re talking about a 19 year old kid playing against a 31 year old pro and unfortunately he paid the price. So although people say we’re an experienced team, in fact we’re a little young.