Sat 11 Mar 2023 - 9:31PM

MATCH REPORT: FIFE 3-2 PANTHERS

🎟 NEXT HOME GAME: TUES 14TH MARCH v BLAZE (7:30PM) - BUY TICKETS HERE 🎟

The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 3-2 on-the-road at Fife Flyers in the Viaplay Elite League on Saturday night.

Cheered on by a fantastic travelling support of hundreds, Panthers came up just short in Kirkcaldy.

Peyton Jones started between the pipes for the first game of the two-day Scottish roadtrip, with Nottingham Lions netminder Luca Sheldon as back-up.

Jeremy Welsh returned to the line-up but Luke Ferrara remains out of action (day-to-day), while Alex Dubeau and Albin Lindgren were the healthy scratches.

Ricci scores equaliser for Panthers in first period
Former Panther Chris Lawrence put the hosts ahead in the opening stages (2:03), moments after Jones had denied Janne Laakkonen on a wraparound.

Bari McKenzie had a goal disallowed for offside before Nottingham drew level during a spell of four-on-four, as Mike Hammond and Adam Brady combined behind the net to feed Fabrizio Ricci in the right circle (10:00).

Myers on target but Nottingham trail at second intermission
A giveaway by the Panthers enabled Lucas Sandstrom to set-up Janne Kivilahti who delayed his move before firing past Jones (20:46).

Nottingham hit back within 17 seconds as a perfect blueline-to-blueline pass from Kelly Summers sent Matthew Myers clear and the GB international cut inside from the right to score the equaliser (21:03).

Moments after Brady was denied short-handed, Kivilahti slammed in Fife's third from the top of the right circle on the powerplay (38:32).

Fife secure vital two points
Lawrence and Zack Phillips went close for Fife on an early third-period powerplay, while Jones saved Mikael Johansson's shot with his mask.

Jones made an outstanding save to deny Christian Hausinger on the powerplay, flinging himself to his right when out of position.

Panthers went six-on-five in the final two minutes with Jones lifted for the extra outskater, but Fife held on to secure the two points.

Scottish roadtrip continues with Dundee tomorrow
Panthers continue their Scottish roadtrip with a game in Dundee against the Stars tomorrow (5pm face-off).

If you're with us in Scotland and still need to buy tickets, they can be purchased here.

There's also a webcast on Stars TV which you can buy here.