Giants v Panthers

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers created a host of great chances but were beaten 2-0 by Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland as Jackson Whistle secured a 27-shot shutout against his former club.

Panthers were without defenceman Quinn Wichers who continues his recovery from injury, but Jaakko Niskala returned to the line-up.

With Ryan Bednard not fully fit, Jason Grande got his second Elite League start of the season with Luca Sheldon as back-up.

Giants lead thanks to late first-period goal
An end-to-end opening period saw both sides creating chances with Tim Doherty and Hugo Roy going close for the Panthers.

At the other end, Grande made huge saves to stop Mark Cooper who twice broke away shorthanded and also denied Ciaran Long and Grant Mismash.

Giants took the lead just as the session drew to a close when Jeff Baum fired top-shelf from the left-circle (19:20).

Panthers on top in second session but no goals
Didrik Henbrant saw his shot saved by Whistle inside the first minute of the second period.

Henbrant also hit the side-netting after rounding Whistle who moments later stopped Mitch Fossier's effort from close-range.

Panthers had much the better of the period which they finished strong with chances for Kristoff Kontos and Ollie Betteridge.

More Panthers pressure but Whistle secures shutout
Cooper hit the post as Giants pushed for a second, before Panthers had another spell of pressure with Kontos going close and then Sam Herr's effort was stopped by Whistle.

Herr and Otto Nieminen both had close-range shots saved by Whistle in the closing stages as the netminder continued to frustrate the Panthers.

Panthers lifted Grande for the extra skater with just under 90 seconds remaining and JJ Piccinich secured the victory for his side with an empty-net goal.