Panthers split series with Giants

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers made it a split home series with the Belfast Giants this weekend, winning Sunday’s game 5-3 at the Motorpoint Arena.

“I think it was really solid from our group. It was important that, after last night’s game, we all gave a little bit more,” said Panthers forward Matt Spencer. “Everybody in the room knows what’s on the line and we need to beat this team every time we play them. The response was fantastic and I’m really glad we got the job done in front of our own fans.”

Mitch Fossier put the Panthers ahead just short of the eight-minute mark, but two quick goals before the break put the Giants in front. Nicolas Guay tied it at 17:19, with J.J. Piccinich then giving the visitors the lead with 47 seconds left in the period.

A defensive mix-up led to Chase Pearson tying the game 5:57 into the second, before Didrik Henbrant put the Panthers back ahead at 35:09.

Piccinich tied the game again 17 seconds into the third, but two goals in under three minutes swung the contest firmly the way of the hosts. Fossier’s second of the night restored Nottingham’s lead at 44:52, before Tim Doherty scored their fifth at 47:32, which proved enough to secure the two-goal win.

“This is a tough league in the sense that every game matters throughout the season and you have to show up,” continued Spencer. “One thing our coach really stresses is having discipline not just for one game or one shift, but for the entire year. That can be a tough thing, but when guys are giving it their all it makes it a lot easier.

“I think we all just wanted to do it for each other tonight, and that’s what we did.”