Panthers go five straight on home ice

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers responded to a road defeat on Saturday night in Glasgow by logging their fifth straight home win, beating Belfast Giants 5-1 at the Motorpoint Arena.

The Panthers started quickly on Saturday night in Glasgow, and were out of the traps fast again on Sunday afternoon - Hugo Roy put them ahead with just over three minutes played. beating Tyler Beskorowany high blocker side from the circle after flying down the wing in what's becoming trademark fashion. The Giants took a bench minor for having too many skaters on the ice, and were made to pay when patient passing set up Mathieu Lemay for a one-timer to double the lead at 13:58. Logan Neilson’s hot stick then continued at 18:04 with the puck breaking to him in front after the Giants turned it over in their own zone off good work by Otto Nieminen.

Beskorowany was pulled for Jackson Whistle to take over duties in net for the Giants for the remaining 40 minutes. Nieminen took a double minor for a High Stick early in period two which gave the Giants a way to get themselves back into the game – in a similar position to that which Lemay levelled from, Blake Spears continued his point-per-game run going with the Giants’ first of the night 4:44 into the second. The Panthers survived the remainder of that penalty, and the three others they took in the period to prevent further damage to their lead. With 2:08 left in the period, Lemay’s pass across the front of the crease deflected off a defenseman and past the wrong-footed Whistle to put the home side 4-1 up.

Anthony Luciani took a Jordan Kelsall pass and beautifully beat whistle going forehand-backhand to make it 5-1 with 10:25 left in the final period to seal an excellent home win for the Panthers.