Panthers v Giants

Match Report

The Nottingham Panthers produced a superb battling performance on their return to competitive action, but were beaten 4-2 by Belfast Giants at the Motorpoint Arena in the Elite League.

Rok Stojanovic made the start in goal with Mike Robinson as back-up, while new signing defenceman Simon Després made his debut.

Ryczek scores superb equaliser
The visitors took the lead inside the first minute through Daniel Tedesco from the slot (0:33), before Panthers hit back only 32 seconds later as Jake Ryczek stepped away from his man in the offensive zone and fired top-shelf past Tyler Beskorowany (1:05).

Ryczek, Otto Nieminen, MIike Caruso all went close on the same shift while at the other end, Stojaovic made a great save to deny Quinn Preston from close-range and the Giants forward also hit the bar on a powerplay.

Chances for Panthers in second period
Panthers started the second period strongly as Ollie Betteridge had a chance short-handed, while Hugo Roy was denied from close-range by Beskorowany.

Nottingham's penalty-kill continued to look strong, seeing-off three successive penalties, and even creating chances for Betteridge and Nieminen late in the period

Late Henbrant goal gives Panthers hope but Giants take the points
Betteridge hit the pipes on a powerplay early in the third session while Carl Neill also went close, but moments later Giants went ahead through Matt McLeod's neat wraparound (41:22).

Stojanovic made two great saves in succession to deny Belfast forwards Bobby McIntyre and Kohei Sato, while Betteridge shot just wide on a late third-period powerplay.

Nottingham lifted Stojanovic for the extra skater and Sato scored into the empty net (58:29), but Panthers weren't done as Didrik Henbrant made it a one-goal game from the right circle (58:45).

Stojanovic went to the bench again as Panthers pushed for an equaliser but Ara Nazarian sealed the game with another empty-net goal (59:47).