Sat 4 Jan 2025 - 9:25PM
4TH JANUARY 2025: PANTHERS 2-1 CLAN
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Nottingham Panthers beat Glasgow Clan 2-1 in a tense Elite League encounter at the Motorpoint Arena.
Panthers were without Quinn Wichers and Jaakko Niskala, so Jordan Kelsall stepped back to play on defence again.
Sam Herr returned after missing the back-to-back games against Coventry Blaze. Jason Grande got the start in goal with Ryan Bednard as back-up.
Fossier gives Panthers lead at first intermission
Herr's beautiful cross-ice pass set-up Mitch Fossier who went forehand-backhand to put Panthers into an early lead (4:40).
Ollie Betteridge and Otto Nieminen went close for the Panthers, but Clan also had their chances in an entertaining first period.
Grande - on his first Elite League start - made great stops to deny Steven Seigo, Matt Berry and Liam Finlay.
Garát on target before Clan reduce deficit
Didrik Henbrant and Reid Stefanson had chances in the second session, before Zsombor Garát made it 2-0 with a bullet of a shot from just inside the blueline (30:45).
Former Panther Robert Lachowicz was impeded on a breakaway short-handed and from the resulting penalty-shot, Cole Ully reduced the arrears to one (33:03).
Grande secures victory on first league start
Kristoff Kontos and Tim Doherty went close in the opening stages of the third period as Panthers looked to take control of the game.
Grande continued to impress in the Panthers goal, making two huge saves to deny Cole Ully and Keaton Jameson in the closing stages.
Clan lifted Bow for the extra outskater in the final 90 seconds but Panthers held firm and Grande secured the victory on his first league start.
Blaze next at home on Saturday 18th January
Panthers travel to Cardiff Devils tomorrow in the Elite League and the following weekend face Belfast Giants twice on the road, as well as Dundee Stars.
The next home action is on Saturday 18th January (7pm) when Coventry Blaze visit the Motorpoint Arena - a game sponsored by WAGO.
Tickets are selling fast for this match so you are urged to secure your seats as soon as possible.