Sat 20 Jan 2024 - 9:35PM

20TH JANUARY 2024: PANTHERS 2-7 GIANTS

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The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 7-2 at home by Belfast Giants on an action-packed night at the Motorpoint Arena.

Josh Tetlow and Ollie Betteridge remain out of action through injury, Tyler Welsh was rested as a precaution but Austin Farley returned to the line-up.

Rok Stojanovic got the start between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up, while Félix Paré made his home debut and Mike Caruso led the Panthers for the first time after being named captain this week.

Kelsall scores for Panthers in first period
Logan Neilson and Myles McGurty combined to find Jordan Kelsall who put Panthers ahead with a beautiful wrist-shot from the slot (4:08).

The Giants equalised when Jeff Baum's shot was saved by Stojanovic, but the puck sat on the line and Ara Nazarian was the first to react to bundle it into the net (13:36).

There was a feisty end to the period as Westin Michaud got the better of a fight with Will Cullen.

Nieminen on target but Belfast lead by three
Oliver Cooper put the visitors ahead with a laser-beam of a shot across Stojanovic (22:32), before Caruso and Charlie Curti dropped the gloves with the Panthers man landing the better punches.

On the resulting powerplay, Hugo Roy set-up Otto Nieminen to score at the backdoor (25:20) but Belfast hit straight back as Josh Roach cut inside from the right to fire past Stojanovic (28:26).

Giants scored two powerplay goals to take a three-goal lead at the second intermission as Printz got the final touch to Bobby MacIntyre's shot (30:45) and Cooper was allowed too much space on the doorstep to turn and slot the puck under Stojanovic (37:32).

Giants score twice in third period to ease to victory
David Goodwin fed Will Cullen who fired a superb one-timer wrist-shot from the slot for Belfast's sixth (45:27).

Stojanovic made two good saves to deny Cooper a hat-trick, but the visitors made it seven through Jacob Friend's shot through traffic (53:00).

Panthers on-the-road tomorrow before two home games next week
The Panthers are off to Scotland tomorrow to face Dundee Stars in the Elite League (5pm) before two successive home games next week.

Glasgow Clan visit the Motorpoint Arena on Wednesday (7:30pm). Season ticket holders can bring up to two friends for £5 each (plus reduced fees). Click here for more details.

Next Saturday (27th January), league leaders Sheffield Steelers come to town and there's only around 1,000 tickets left. You are advised to purchase tickets as soon as possible as this game to guarantee your seats.

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