Fossier hits OT winner

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers overturned a one-goal deficit with two late goals to beat Manchester Storm 2-1 in overtime.

“We played well, we outshot them two to one. Their goalie played really well, but we stuck with it and were able to win in overtime,” said Panthers forward Chase Pearson, who scored the tying goal. “It’s a testament to our group for sticking with it.”

Storm created the better early chances, with Stephen Johnson firing just wide shorthanded before taking the lead with 9:05 remaining in the opening period. J.D. Dudek scooped home the rebound after Kevin Carr had denied Loren Ulett’s initial effort.

A Tim Doherty one-timer late in the period forced a strong save from Drew DeRidder to keep Storm ahead at the first intermission.

Panthers pushed hard through the second period, hitting the iron on a powerplay and creating the majority of chances, including a near miss from Pearson that found the side netting.

DeRidder continued to frustrate the hosts into the third period, producing another key stop to deny Jordan Kelsall as Panthers pressure mounted.

The equaliser finally came with under seven minutes remaining. Matt Marcinew’s shot was saved by DeRidder but looped into the air and dropped kindly for Pearson to finish.

“After a while you start to wonder,” Pearson admitted. “You have so many chances and they don’t go in and you get frustrated, but sometimes you just have to keep going and those bounces come.”

David Noël nearly gave Panthers the lead late in regulation, but DeRidder again came up big to force overtime.

Both sides traded chances in the extra period before Panthers struck with just 22 seconds remaining. A 3-on-1 break saw Zsombor Garát and Pearson combine to set up Mitch Fossier for the winner.

“In the first period we maybe had a slow start, but in the second and third we played some of our best hockey,” added Pearson. “If we play like that, we can beat any team in this league.”