Panthers' first period sinks Flyers

Photo: Flyers Images

Nottingham Panthers moved to five straight wins thanks to an excellent first period that put them well in control against the Fife Flyers.

The Panthers wasted no time in racking up a big lead in the first period in Kirkcaldy. Interim coach Mark Matheson's patient pass set up Matt Lane for the wrist shot past Shane Owen 52 seconds into the game, and seven minutes later Josh Tetlow found the net from the point to double the visitors' lead. 

The Flyers called a timeout after that goal, but it didn't help as under five minutes later they were three down - Kevin Domingue blasted home the one-timer on a delayed penalty from Lane's feed.

Whatever was said in the Flyers' locker room between periods had the desired effect as the home side came out with more purpose in the second. Jacob Benson was quickest to react to a loose puck in front of Carr to get the hosts on the board at 29:41, and then with 44 seconds left in the period he slapped a puck through Carr to bring the Flyers back to within one heading into period three.

Fife had their chances to tie things up in period three, but couldn't quite carve out those Grade A scoring opportunities to really trouble Kevin Carr. Inside the final 90 seconds Owen was pulled for the extra skater, and after a few good blocks and sticks in lanes the puck fell for Mathieu Tousignant to hit the empty net with 26 seconds left.

The Panthers took the points with a solid road performance, while the Flyers were left to wonder what might have been if they'd have started better.