Hammond wins it for Panthers in OT

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers took the extra point in overtime after an exciting game against Guildford Flames at the Motorpoint Arena.

Guildford started brightly and were deservedly ahead within three minutes through a nice deke from Sam Marklud at 2:32. That lead held until 26:55 when Tanner Sorenson found the top shelf off Jeremy Welsh's feed across the crease, and started a phase of Pathers' dominance. Adam Brady put the home side ahead with 4:17 left in the second period. A fine individual goal from Ryan Tait levelled the scores with 1:59 to play.

Peter Crinella's tip of Daniel Tedesco's shot put the Flames back ahead early in period three some 30 seconds after Alex Dubeau made an excellent sprawling save to momentarily keep the scores level.

Panthers pulled Dubeau for the extra skater around 90 seconds before the end, and were rewarded for their gamble at 58:51. A loose puck in the Flames' zone took an outrageously strange bounce, ended up in front of the net, and on Andrew Johnston's stick to finish after a nice deke. 

On the first rush of overtime, Brett Welychka set up Mike Hammond for the winner just 28 seconds into the extra period.