Flames v Panthers

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers made it four successive wins in the Challenge Cup with a 4-3 victory at Guildford Flames after penalty shots.

Man of the Match Rok Stojanovic, who made 41 saves, got the start in goal with Ryan Bednard as back-up, while Cooper Zech missed out with a lower body injury.

Quinn Wichers had two chances in quick succession before Panthers went ahead on a five-on-three powerplay.

Kristoff Kontos and Matt Alfaro combined to set-up Sam Herr to slot the puck home from close-range (8:51).

At the other end, Stojanoic made a number of great close-range saves including one to deny Lewis Hook.

Logan Neilson took advantage of a turnover and raced clear, producing a superb bankhand top-shelf finish to beat Jake Kupsky (24:16).

Stojanovic continued to shut the door and made two point-blank saves to turn away efforts from Jake Coughler and Sean Norris.

Daniel Tedesco closed the gap from close-range on the powerplay (42:37) and Matt Alvaro equalised when the puck fell kindly to him in the slot (53:21).

Alfaro and Kontos combined again - this time to feed Hugo Roy to score on the doorstep - to put Panthers ahead on the powerplay in the closing stages (56:31).

Tedesco scored top-shelf with only eight seconds remaining on the six-on-five play with Kupsky lifted for the extra skater (59:52).

Panthers hit the pipes in overtime and Stojanovic made a great save to deny Lewis Hook.

In the shootout, Stojanovic was immense and was only beaten once while Kontos scored twice - including the sudden-death winner - as Panthers secured the extra point.