Sat 12 Apr 2025 - 8:30PM

12TH APRIL 2025: FLAMES 3-2 PANTHERS

🎟 TOMORROW (SUN 13TH APRIL) 5PM: PANTHERS v FLAMES - BUY TICKETS 🎟

Nottingham Panthers were beaten 3-2 on the road by Guildford Flames in the first leg of the playoff quarter-final.

It means Panthers have just a one-goal deficit going into tomorrow's crucial second leg at the Motorpoint Arena.

Forward Otto Nieminen returned to the line-up after injury for his first game since 5th March but Panthers were without Reid Stefanson.

Jason Grande started between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up.

Doherty equalises for Panthers
The hosts took an early lead when Jack Jacome buried the puck from close-range after a massive goalmouth scramble (03:31).

Eamon McAdam made two huge saves to deny Tim Doherty and Mitch Fossier in quick succession, but the two combined for Panthers' equaliser.

Fossier fed Doherty who beat Sam Jones and then slid the puck under McAdam through the five-hole (16:21).

Second goal for Doherty but game remains all-sqaure
Doherty, Sam Herr and Matt Spencer all had good chances in the early stages of the second period.

At the other end, Grande made an impressive glove save to turn away Jacome's fierce shot from left-wing.

Fossier combined with Cooper Zech to set-up Doherty on the powerplay as he took step forward in the left-circle to fire a neat wrist-shot past McAdam (34:02).

But the Flames were level just 100 seconds later as Daniel Tedesco produced a neat forehand-backhand move to beat Grande (35:42).

Flames secure victory in first leg
Both sides had chances in an end-to-end third period and Flames went ahead when a mis-hit shot from Austin Glover fell nicely for Ethan Strang (51:08).

Panthers had a late powerplay and came so close to levelling the tie as Fossier hit the pipes and Doherty was denied by McAdam.

Huge second leg tomorrow (Sunday)
​The second leg takes place at the Motorpoint Arena tomorrow (Sunday) and it's simply huge.

There are very limited tickets remaining so you are urged to secure your seats asap.

This game - which is sponsored by Stems at 24 Flower Studio - faces-off at 5pm. Grab those tickets now before they're all gone!

🎟 TOMORROW (SUN 13TH APRIL) 5PM: PANTHERS v FLAMES - BUY TICKETS 🎟