Panthers beat Stars in OT

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers took two important league points with an overtime win against Dundee Stars, who were themselves worthy of a point on the road at the Motorpoint Arena.

It was an excellent start by the Panthers, who outshot their opponents 15-4 in the opening period. Logan Neilson hit the crossbar as he looked for his first Elite League goal, but the home side's domination eventually told - 13:11 was on the clock when Westin Michaud threw the puck back across the crease, under Kevin Carr's pads, allowing Mathieu Lemay a shot at an unguarded net for the 1-0 lead.

While the Stars were outplayed in the opening period, they were a much better team in the second. Some early penalties on the Panthers allowed the visitors to begin generating momentum, and with 3:12 left in the period Carter Johnson batted home a rebound past Rok Stojanovič to tie the game. The goal was reviewed to check the puck had not gone straight into the net off a hand from Brendan Harms. 

The Panthers had the better of the pressure in the third period without being able to force a further way past Kevin Carr, while at the other end some nice Jake Elmer hands almost saw him force high into Stojanovič's net. But with no winner, both sides took a point and the game went to overtime.

Dundee controlled the puck possession for much of the start of overtime but without really testing the Panthers' goalie. Heading the other way, Michaud picked out an unmarked Victor Bjorkung to one-time past Carr and win the Panthers the bonus point at 62:22.