Nottingham Panthers 4-3 Dundee Stars *pens (Elite League) 04.01.20
Manchester Storm 0-3 Nottingham Panthers (Elite League) 05.01.20
It was another perfect weekend for Nottingham Panthers as Tim Wallace’s high flying team won back to back games to record their sixth and seventh wins in their last eight matches in the Elite League.
The Panthers now sit on 40 points from 32 played fourth in the table level with third spot Belfast and just two points behind second placed Cardiff but seven points behind league leaders and bitter rivals Sheffield Steelers.
Despite the winning weekend the Panthers however were made to fight all the way for the points on Saturday night as Dundee Stars fought back to earn a bonus point and take the game at the Motorpoint Arena in to over time and a penalty shoot out.
Nottingham started bright and took a three goal lead early in the first period after Malmquist, Herr and Malmquist again netted putting the home side in control. Dundee however were quick to respond and pulled a goal back tgrough Maquardt before Kroeker ended a goal fest first twenty minutes by bringing the Scots to within one goal at the break.
The Stars levelled in a tighter second period but when Talbot finished off from good play by Lachowicz and Connelly it looked to be enough for the win until Dufour made the game all square again during the power play with less than three minutes left.
Overtime couldn’t produce a winner so with the game into a shootout it was Nottingham who looked to have missed their chance for the extra point after both Perlini and Herr missed the Panthers first two efforts but with Beauregard missing in between Connelly netted after Marquardt opened and with Carter and Hansen both netting to take the penalties to 2-2 Hansen scored to put pressure on Dufour who missed and when Talbot placed home number three with Panthers last penalty it was left to Dow to score to take the game in to sudden death but his miss ensured Nottingham took two points going into the Manchester match with a W under their belt.
On Sunday in Manchester things were much more routine as the Panthers came away with a 3-0 win over Storm. DeSantis netted in the second period to open things up before Herr twice scored in the third to give the away side a solid win as attention now draws to the Continental Cup this weekend in Denmark.
*Main image @PanthersIHC Sam Herr man of the match in Manchester.
