4 goals in 90 seconds see Panthers past Flames

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers moved into third with a home win over Guildford Flames. scoring four goals in some 90 seconds in period two to build up a healthy lead.

Cooper Zech continued his scoring streak with the game's opening goal at 8:01, slotting home from almost the exact same place as his previous two games, and in pretty much the same way. It took 131 seconds for the Flames to level thanks to Matt Alvaro's neat shot from the circle, but by 15:12, the Panthers defenseman had put the home side back ahead when he was left in all kinds of space at the far post.

104 seconds into period tow, excellent passing from Zech to Mitch Fossier and then Sam Herr set up the Panthers captain to make it 3-1. Guildford responded, however, at 24:44. After Ethan Strang's shot was well saved by Jason Grande, Jack Jacome reacted fasted to the rebound to fire home.

A beautiful deflection from Austin Glover came off the post shortly after as they almost tied the game, while Jacome couldn't quite control a pass to go through 1-on-0 on Kupsky and ended up shooting wide from a tight angle on the next play.

Having been the better team, and looking like they'd tie the game, Guildford were undone by an unfortunate event. Behind his own net, Travis Brown lost an edge and turned the puck over to Tim Doherty who fed Didrik Henbrant in front to make it 4-2 at 34:31.

Henbrant repaid the favour to Doherty at 35:08 to make it 5-2, while a penalty shot was cooly slotted home five-hole by Kris Kontos at 35:41 to get the home side a sixth. The Panthers moved out of sight with their seventh when Reid Stefanson deflected into his own net off Brown's stick to complete a four-goal haul in just over 90 seconds. 

Jacome cut the deficit back to four goals 22 seconds into period three, while captain Brett Ferguson then got the Flames a fourth at 48:42. Guildford played on the front foot for large parts of the final period, although two late penalties make their task somewhat harder. 

The Panthers' cushion was good enough to see them through however, winning out 7-4.