Ryczek wins 11-goal thriller for Panthers

Photo: Al Goold

Nottingham Panthers moved to within three points of a playoff place with an overtime win in an 11-goal thriller on Rave Night at Braehead Arena. Glasgow Clan, despite losing, still picked up three points from the weekend.

As a prelude to what was to follow, the opening period saw goals scored 19 seconds apart to end all square. Stephen Anderson wrapped-around on Antti Karjalainen to make it 1-0 with 15:24 played, only for Mike Pelech to level with a neat shot from the circle. 

Cue a six-goal period two. 

Simon Despres was left alone at the back post to put the Panthers back ahead at 27:43, but a bottle-popper from Charlie Combs tied things up under three minutes later. Alex Forbes then poked home a Jordan Cownie feed for Clan to lead at 32:13, but some 90 seconds later Hugo Roy made no mistake on Didrik Henbrandt's pass across the slot. The pair combined again to score the Panthers' fourth of the night with 58 seconds left in the second, cancelling out Luke Lynch's go-ahead goal for the Clan 62 seconds earlier. 

Anthony Luciani tipped Jake Ryczek's shot past Karjalainen 96 seconds into period three as the Panthers then held a lead for just over ten minutes until Gary Haden beat Rok Stojanovič short side to tie the game with 8:23 remaining in regulation. 

Both teams took the point with the game heading into overtime, and the 3-on-3 was no less entertaining. After chances at both ends, the Panthers broke 2-on-1 where Ryczek opted to shoot and won the visitors the extra point.