Panthers edge past Flyers late
Photo: Flyers Images
Nottingham Panthers were made to work for their two points on the road in Kirkcaldy by Fife Flyers, but pulled away form their hosts in the closing stages to take a 4-1 win.
"Coming up to Fife and playing against a hard-working Flyers team, especially in their rink, is always a challenge," explained Panthers' Matt Spencer who had the game-winning goal. "We were able to grind our way through the game, including the third period, but you have to give Fife credit for how they played."
The only goal of the opening period came off the stick of Jaakko Niskala, cutting into the slot and firing past Janis Voris to put the Panthers ahead. It was a first period that the Panthers dominated, although the Flyers were able to create some good chances on the rush the other way.
Despite the Flyers having some good opportunities to tie things early in period two, Matt Spencer's shot from the point went all the way through at 35:02 to double the visitors' advantage.
"It's always nice to see one go in!" added Spencer. "Lately, I feel like it's been a lot about my defensive game, so to add some offense makes the bus ride home a little nicer."
The Panthers then took two penalties one after another which let the Flyers back into the game - Kieran Craig's tip on an Oliver LeBlanc shot bringing the Flyers back to within one with 48 seconds left in the period.
A shot just wide, or clipping the post, were the fine margins between the Flyers tying the game and the Panthers staying ahead. Inside the final six minutes, the Flyers began to tire and took some bad minor penalties as they chased the game. That eventually led to Sam Herr making it 3-1 at 56:20, with the captain then hitting the empty net again with 45 seconds to go.
"I think we're viewing every game as a playoff game, with that mentality," said Spencer. "All of these points are extremely important, and of course we're keeping our eyes on other teams and how they're doing compared to us. We're every game very much like a Game 7."
