George Awada gave the hosts the lead in the first minute but Bruce Richardson soon levelled for Nottingham.

BBC: Belfast Giants complete double over Nottingham Panthers

Led by Corey Neilson and Bruce Richardson, new signings Dominic D'Amour and Stephen Lee were joined on the blueline by Tom Norton.

BBC: NHL work out for Nottingham team

However a spectacular second period run saw Panthers race into a telling 5-2 lead thanks to goals from Danny Meyers, Jade Galbraith and Bruce Richardson.

BBC: Neilson blames sloppy defending

Sunderland opened the scoring with a Kieran Richardson opener inside two minutes but then came the Stoke equaliser that riled Bruce so much.

BBC: Sunderland boss Bruce fumes at defence & officials