Panthers blank Flames

Photo: Panthers Images

Rok Stojanovič stopped all 36 shots he faced to blank Guildford Flames and help Nottingham Panthers to a 3-0 victory on Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena.

The Panthers were excellent in the opening period and deservedly led after the opening 20 minutes. Joe Hazeldine joined the rush and finished nicely off Hugo Roy's pass to opening the scoring at 3:40 with his first goal back for the Panthers.Six minutes late, Tyler Welsh was quickest to a loose puck to beat Eamon McAdam and double the home side's lead. Flames Head Coach Paul Dixon was very animated with his team during the power break, and they came close to pulling a goal back on a Simon Despres Slashing minor - Rok Stojanovič called into two quick saves to keep the visitors out.

No goals in the middle period sent the Panthers into the final 20 minutes of regulation still up by two. They were the side that closest to scoring in the second, but the side netting and McAdam prevented that from happening.

Jordan Kelsall made the game safe for the Panthers with 5:54 left to play, finishing off an inch-perfect Jeremy Welsh pass as the home side broke 2-on-1. It could have been more with some desperation defending in front of the Flames net after McAdam's play on the puck didn't come off as he wanted on his own blue line. 

The Panthers held out for the shutout win, while the teams will meet each other again tomorrow in Guildford.