Panthers take two-goal advantage into second leg

Photo: Panthers Images

The Nottingham Panthers will take a two-goal lead to Guildford next week for the second leg of their Premier Sports Challenge Cup Quarter-Final tie after beating the Flames 4-2 at the Motorpoint Arena on Tuesday night.

Mark Matheson led the Panthers to their third straight win since taking temporary charge of the team, and saw his side get off to an excellent start with Sean Richards opening the scoring inside five minutes. 

Tristan Frei tied the scored 4:28 into period two after a nice pass from Robert Lachowicz who picked up a turned over puck behind the Panthers' net. 90 seconds later Ian McNulty beat Kevin Carr in close to put the Flames ahead. 

However, a fortunate bounce allowed Robbie Baillargeon to fire past Kevin Lindskoug and tie the scores at 26:38, while exactly ten minutes later Richards ripped past Lindskoug for his second of the night and his team's third. Carr was on hand to deny the Flames a late goal and ensure the Panthers kept their two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg.

Baillargeon scored his second of the night with 9:40 to go with a nice tip in front off Ollie Betteridge's shot to put the Panthers two ahead.