Wed 19 Feb 2025 - 10:45PM
19TH FEBRUARY 2025: PANTHERS 2-4 FLAMES
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Nottingham Panthers were beaten 4-2 at home by Guildford Flames in-front of a sold-out Motorpoint Arena on Wednesday night.
Panthers were without netminder Ryan Bednard. Jason Grande started between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up.
Fit-again Cooper Zech - who has been out of action since the 3-2 victory on the road at Cardiff Devils on 1st February - replaced Quinn Wichers in the line-up.
Zech and Garát on target in first period
Flames forward Ethan Strang hit the pipes in the opening stages and Grande made a double save to deny Daniel Tedesco.
Zech put Panthers ahead when his shot from the left-wing deflected past Eamon McAdam (06:44).
Panthers went two ahead through a howitzer of a top-shelf finish from Zsombor Garát from the high-slot (18:37).
Flames reduce the deficit to one
Grande turned away Travis Brown's bullet of a shot from the left-circle and denied Ryan Tait from close-range.
Panthers looked strong on a second-period powerplay with chances for Zech, Mitch Fossier, Tim Doherty and Hugo Roy.
But Flames reduced the arrears late in the session through Matt Alvaro's neat finish from the slot (36:41).
Guildford score three times to secure come-from-behind win
Flames equalised early in the third period when Daniel Catenacci buried a loose puck in the slot on the powerplay (41:49).
Matt Alfaro and Ollie Betteridge had good chances short-handed to put Panthers back ahead, but the visitors scored twice in the final four minutes.
A mis-hit shot on the powerplay fell to Jack Jacome at the backdoor (56:20) and the Flames forward secured his side the win with an empty-net goal (59:39).
Storm next at home for Panthers
Panthers travel to Sheffield Steelers on Saturday for a huge match-up with the old arch-rivals, before returning home to host Manchester Storm on Sunday at 4pm.
Tickets are selling fast for this game - which is sponsored by The Park Hospital - so you are advised to secure your seats asap.
With it being a Sunday fixture, Family Tickets are available which offer discounted admission compared to standard matchnight prices. Please select Block 8 or Block 12.
Come and experience the fantastic Motorpoint Arena atmosphere and be part of the passionate #PanthersNation.