Nottingham Panthers returned to the top of the Elite League as they opened their Scottish triple-header with a win over Glasgow Clan on Friday night. The Panthers arrived with 24 wins from 37 previous league visits to Braehead Arena, and they added another to that total in a close, high-energy game.
Nottingham struck first through Matt Alfaro, but Clan replied on the power play when Richard Jarůšek buried the equaliser from a Cade Neilson pass. Five minutes later, Chase Pearson restored the Panthers’ lead to send the visitors into the first intermission up 2–1 after an action-packed period in which both sides traded penalties and Clan outshot Nottingham 18–14.
“The trips up to Scotland are long, you have to try and stay simple at first,” said Panthers forward Mitch Fossier. “We have a pretty mature group and I think we’re comfortable coming out and playing simple to get our legs under us. I think we did a good job of that.”
Clan tied the game early in period two when Deven Sideroff finished off a feed from Brayden Burke. Nottingham responded again shortly after as Zsombor Garat put the visitors back ahead from a Bryan Lemos pass. The middle period also featured penalties to Fossier, Felix Paré and David Noel, and saw a Panthers effort waved off following video review.
A plexi issue delayed the start of period three, and when play resumed the Clan drew level once more through Neilson with just over 14 minutes remaining. Nottingham, however, found another answer. Fossier struck the eventual game winner with 6:09 to play to put the Panthers ahead for the fourth time.
“Anytime we win we’re not going to complain,” added Fossier. “I think we did a good job of bouncing back every time they tied it. We have some things to clean up, but I think we can build off it. It’s the start of a long weekend for us so we’re happy with the win.”
Clan pulled Sami Aittokallio for the extra skater inside the final 90 seconds, but Nottingham closed out the night without giving up any clear late looks, securing an important road victory.
Photo: Al Goold
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