Panthers take extra point in foot of table clash

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers and Fife Flyers moved themselves closer to the playoff places, but it was the hosts who came out happier after taking an overtime win in a tight game at the Motorpoint Arena. 

The Panthers outside their visitors 17-5 in the opening period, but only had one goal to show for it through the opening 20 minutes. A bad bounce off Kevin Wehrs' skates after the Flyers won a defensive zone faceoff saw the puck fall kindly to Alexander Lunsjo for a quick finish in the slot. The Flyers didn't have a shot on target until past the 16-minute mark in the period but ended the period behind despite a late flurry, and did hit a post in their search for an equaliser.

There were no goals through period two but both teams had their goalies to thank for keeping it a one-goal game. Dominik Salama made an excellent save off a Logan Neilson shot at the far post to deny the Panthers' forward a third goal in as many games. At the other end, Troy Lajeunesse had a late chance on Stojanovič as the period ended as it had started.

Aleksi Makela  for Fife a deserved equaliser from the point at 45:49 to bring the game all square. Minutes later, Myles McGurty saw his shot beat Salama but come back off the bar as the game stayed level, but on the very next attack Neilson did make it three in three to put the Panthers back ahead at 49:01. The Panthers, however, turned the puck over in their own zone straight to Max Humitz who turned and shot past Stojanovič to tie the game at 52:54.

Overtime followed, and it took only 33 seconds for the extra point to be won - Otto Nieminen beat fellow countryman Salama with a shot form just over the blue line to win it for the Panthers.