Gothiques d’Amniens 2-4 Nottingham Panthers (Continental Cup Group E)  15.11.19

Nottingham Panthers got off to a dream start in the IIHF Continental Cup after beating Gothiques d’Amiens in their first group game in Denmark.

The Panthers took the lead just four minutes into the game as Sam Herr fed Jake Hansen to one time into the back of the Amiens goal but the French side hit right back immediately after as Romain Bault levelled.

A huge save by the in-form Panthers netminder Kevin Carr who denied Verrier from hitting the lead and shortly after he made another block to keep the sides level.

A Panthers powerplay wasn’t capitalised on as Mike Babcock was sent to the box for high sticking and despite Buysse called upon to action in the Amiens goal the first period ended 1-1.

The second period was all Panthers as Buysse made saves from Fick and Hansen before a big save from Matheson who’d snuck down into the slot. Talbot’s one timer was then saved but the Panthers got their reward moments into a powerplay when Jake Hansen smashed in.

Brett Perlini was then sent to the box for interference before William Quist netted with Panthers at full strength. Quist fed by Talbot before doing the business.

Buysse was then called into action from Herr keeping the score down to a two goal lead at the end of the second.

It got worse for the French side however at the start of the third after a tripping penalty ensured yet another powerplay and moments after the return to five on five captain Sam Herr took full advantage of slack play as he deflected Hanson’s pass into the net for number four.

That lead however was reduced on twelve minutes as Giroux tapped in and things didn’t end great for Nottingham as Deutsch injured in a collision looked dazed as he shuffled off but the win was all we wanted and the Panthers got that with maximum points from match one of three this weekend.

Nottingham now take on Hungarian side Ferencvarosi at the Fros Arena, Vojen tomorrow afternoon 3pm (UK time) before taking on Sonderjyske on Sunday knowing one further win should see them through to close off their pool group and qualify for the finals in January.