Tue 14 Feb 2023 - 9:46PM

MATCH REPORT: PANTHERS 0-2 GIANTS

The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 2-0 by Belfast Giants at the Motorpoint Arena in the Viaplay Elite League on Tuesday night.

New signing Niko Lahtinen made his debut, while Peyton Jones got the start in goal with Matty Bloor as back-up.

Matthew Myers and Tanner Sorenson went close on a first-period Panthers powerplay, while JC Brassard saw his shot from the blueline saved.

At the other end, Jones made a string of top-class saves including stops on Ciaran Long and David Gilbert.

The second period became a netminding clinic as David Levin danced through the Giants defence but his backhand shot was saved Tyler Beskorowany.

Jones made a outstanding save to deny Mark Cooper on a breakaway, as well as stopping David Goodwin and Scott Conway.

Jeremy Welsh hit the bar with his backhand shot from the right circle in the third period, before Goodwin's feed from behind the net found Steven Owre and his wrist-shot put Belfast ahead (50:27).

Panthers lifted Jones for the extra skater in the final minute, but the Giants secured the victory with Conway's empty-net goal from his own zone (59:33).