BACK TO BACK WEEKEND VICTORIES TO START CAMPAIGN!
Clarkie's back and his four goal haul saw the GMB Panthers win their home debut game 6-2 against the Hull Stingrays.
Over four thousand fans witnessed an explosive start to the home campaign with a hero's return for David Clarke, blood and guts, and a good old fashioned toe-to-toe to round off the entertainment.
The goalless first period took just over 50 minutes to complete after a major set-to half way through the session which saw Kovaks dismissed for his assault on Marc Levers which left the Nottingham player needing 25 stitches to a head wound. Ityorumun Ndur was thrown out on a game misconduct at the same time.
David Clarke broke the deadlock with a tap in opener on the powerplay less than a minute into the second, he fired home the second on another powerplay in the 25th and as the GMB Panthers grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, Reynolds replied short-handed only for Clarkie to make it three powerplay goals in less than five minutes to restore the two goal advantage. More penalty problems for the Stingrays saw Kevin Bergin stretch the lead with another powerplay strike and with 23 seconds left on the period clock, David Clarke showed that he could do it four times, again with a man advantage in favour of the home team.
Danny Meyers joined the attack to make it 6-1 in the first minute of the final period and from the resulting face-off Bergin and Bernier showed the fans how it should be done as they went at it centre ice in a good old-fashioned toe-to-toe scrap. Glowa rounded off the scoring with a final powerplay goal on the night.
The 6-2 victory would have been much heavier were it not for former Panther Curtis Cruickshank in the away team goal who was deservedly named man of the match by sponsors the ARMY, and David Clarke took the honours for the GMB Panthers. Back-to-back wins on the opening weekend of the season for the GMB Panthers. Last year it was January before such a feat was achieved and there were only two four point hauls all season long last year.
A winning start for the GMB Panthers and we're hoping to cut through the red tape and add Dan Tessier and Jade Galbraith to the line-up in time for the visit of the Edinburgh Capitals next Saturday.
SEE YOU THERE!