Thu 28 Mar 2024 - 9:40PM

PANTHERS BEAT FIFE FOR HUGE WIN IN PLAYOFF CHASE

🎟 SATURDAY 30TH MARCH (7PM): PANTHERS v COVENTRY - BUY TICKETS 🎟
🎟 MONDAY 1ST APRIL (4PM): PANTHERS v GLASGOW - BUY TICKETS 🎟
🎟 CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TWO-GAME BUNDLE TICKETS 🎟

Rok Stojanovic secured a 29-shot shutout as The Nottingham Panthers picked-up a huge two points in the playoff race with a 1-0 victory against Fife Flyers in Kirkcaldy.

Victory for the Panthers reduces the gap on the playoff places to four points with four games remaining in the season.

Captain Mike Caruso returned after missing the past five games, but Carl Neill, Jake Ryczek and Logan Neilson all missed-out because of injury.

No goals in tight first period
​Panthers forward Mathieu Lemay had a chance inside the first minute but his shot was saved by Shane Owen, while Joe Hazeldine and Otto Nieminen also went close.

Fife dominated much of the first period and Stojanovic made a number of top-class saves including one to deny Johan Eriksson from close-range.

Netminders on top as game remains scoreless
Owen made an outstanding glove save above his head as he was falling to the ice to stop Roy from close-range, while Nieminen and Jordan Kelsall were denied in quick succession as Panthers made a strong start to the second session.

Flyers forward Lucas Chiodo pinged the pipes and Stojanovic made two close-range saves on the same play, but clear-cut chances continued to be limited for both sides.

Nieminen scores game-winner as Stojanovic secures shutout
Chiodo hit the post for a second time early in the third period as Fife went close again, before Roy fed Nieminen who skillfully beat his man and put away his own rebound to give Panthers the lead (46:27).

Owen stopped a Anthony Luciani breakaway as Nottingham looked for a second on the next shift.

The Flyers piled on the pressure in the closing stages - and lifted Owen for the extra outskater - but Stojanvoic turned away all 29 shots that came his way.

Easter weekend home double-header
The Panthers return to Nottingham to face Coventry Blaze on Saturday (7pm) - a game sponsored by Interseal. There's just over 1,000 tickets remaining so you're urged to secure your seats asap.

Bank Holiday Monday's encounter with Glasgow Clan (4pm) - which is sponsored by Create Inc - is over half-full already. Family tickets are available in Block 8 and Block 12 for this game which offer discounted prices compared to a standard gameday ticket.

There's also a two-game bundle on sale for the Coventry and Glasgow matches which offer a discount when purchased together.

🎟 SATURDAY 30TH MARCH (7PM): PANTHERS v COVENTRY - BUY TICKETS 🎟
🎟 MONDAY 1ST APRIL (4PM): PANTHERS v GLASGOW - BUY TICKETS 🎟
🎟 CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TWO-GAME BUNDLE TICKETS 🎟