Panthers Beat Clan After Fife Thriller

Nottingham Panthers 3-2 Glasgow Clan (Elite League) 11.02.24

The Nottingham Panthers faced the Glasgow Clan in a highly anticipated matchup, following an eventful weekend and a high-scoring encounter the night before. The Panthers, coming off a three-point effort against the Blaze and a thrilling 9-7 match against the Fife Flyers, were poised for an exciting clash against the Clan. Despite both sides missing key players, Rok Stojanovic would start in the net for the Panthers, while the Clan introduced new signing Kevin Lindskoug.

Period 1: Early Dominance The game kicked off with intense energy, as the Panthers established early dominance, generating numerous rush chances and spending extended periods in the offensive zone. Notable early opportunities included a combination play between Otto Nieminen and Hugo Roy, testing Clan’s netminder Lindskoug. The Panthers broke the deadlock at 8:32, courtesy of a Myles Mcgurty shot deflecting off a Glasgow skate. Westin Michaud and Mathieu Lemay assisted, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead. A tripping call drawn by Michaud led to a powerplay, and the Panthers capitalized, doubling their lead at 13:23. Anthony Luciani, the latest signing, found the back door after a precise feed from Jordan Kelsall, assisted by Michaud. Glasgow responded at 15:03, narrowing the gap to 2-1 with a goal from Darien Craighead, assisted by Gary Hadden and Michael Pelech. Despite Glasgow’s goal, the Panthers dominated the period, outshooting the Clan 18-3.

Period 2: Panthers Extend Lead The Panthers continued their momentum into the second period, extending their lead at 24:41. Simon Despres initiated the play in his own zone, setting Michaud in motion. Michaud’s pass found Alexander Lunsjo, who rifled the puck past Lindskoug. Despite heading to the powerplay multiple times, the Panthers couldn’t convert, but their man-advantage remained threatening. Glasgow managed to cut the lead at 36:57 when Hadden’s shot from below the goal-line deflected off Rok. The period saw heightened physicality, including a notable fight between Mathieu Lemay and Dyson Stevenson, with Stevenson ultimately taking down the Panthers’ leading goal-scorer with a hefty punch.

Period 3: Resilient Panthers The third period unfolded with intense action as Glasgow Clan pressed for a comeback. A powerplay opportunity for the Clan early in the period didn’t yield a goal, with Panthers standing strong, including a close call as Hadden hit the iron. The resilient Panthers defence, even as Lindskoug was pulled for an extra attacker, held firm, securing a crucial 3-2 victory. This marked the first home win for the Panthers since December 16th, adding a special significance to the triumph.

In a game filled with memorable moments and a resilient defensive display, the Nottingham Panthers emerged victorious against the Glasgow Clan, showcasing their determination and securing a valuable two points.