Nottingham Panthers moved three points clear at the top of the Elite League thanks to a 4-1 win over Fife Flyers, although the visitors were in the game for far longer than the final scoreline suggests.
“It’s great to get the win,” said Panthers forward Finlay Ulrick. “The focus is of course to get the two points. We were short of bodies tonight and came together to get the win.”
Chase Pearson sent thousands of teddy bears onto the ice when he opened the scoring just over two and a half minutes in, going top shelf to give the Panthers an early lead.
Fife began to settle but lost Simon Despres to a major penalty for elbowing, which also resulted in the former Panther being ejected. The Flyers produced the best chance of the kill when Logan Neilson forced a strong save from Kevin Carr, and the visitors ultimately survived the five minutes without conceding.
“I think in the first period, they played really well and created a lot of chances and we didn’t have much to say,” said Flyers forward Anton Karlsson. “But in the second and third we stepped it up.”
The next goal proved crucial, and it arrived with 2:12 left in the second period. A point shot from David Noël was redirected in front by Ulrick for his first Panthers goal.
“It felt amazing!” Ulrick said. “It’s been a long time for me to get that first one, but to see it go in was really nice.”
Nottingham should have stretched their lead early in the third when Ross Armour was denied by a spectacular glove save from Shane Owen. That miss became costly minutes later when Ethan Somoza tipped an Ian Scheid pass beyond Carr at 47:55 to make it a one-goal game. Somoza then set up Josh Winquist, who came close to equalising but sent his shot just wide.
Panthers regained control with 8:19 remaining, as Tim Doherty buried a rebound from Matt Spencer’s point shot to restore the two-goal cushion.
“We need to see the game better in front of our own net,” Karlsson admitted. “We can’t be giving up those easy types of goals in games. We also need to score some goals, one isn’t going to win a hockey game.”
Just 20 seconds later, Spencer hammered a one-timer past Owen to make it 4-1 and complete the scoring. Nottingham outshot Fife 25-4 in the final period.
“It’s a really good group of guys here,” Karlsson added. “They take good care of you. I’m happy to be here and part of this group. Of course you always want the team to win, but I think I’m finding my way here in the Elite League.“
The Panthers remain three points clear at the top. “It gives us confidence, but we’re not sat there looking at the table,” Ulrick concluded. “We’re focused on each game and the two points, game by game.”
Photo: Panthers Images
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