GREAT EFFORT but no joy in Belfast
Belfast Giants claimed first blood in the top of the table back-to-back clashes on Friday night.
The final scoreline of 4-2 included an empty-net goal in a game which saw the GMB Panthers twice take the lead.
In a highly entertaining and competitive match the GMB Panthers took the lead with a handful of seconds left in the first period when Sean McAslan fired in from close-range on a pass by Jade Galbraith.
Giants equalised on a powerplay early in the second but less than a minute later David Clarke turned in another Jade Galbraith pass and we were back in front.
Kevin St Pierre was in fine form and denied a short-handed breakaway one-on-one but Nottingham missed some chances to increase the lead and a defensive lapse allowed an equaliser late in the period.
With both sides going hard the referee played a part in the game-winning goal with two soft calls against the visitors and although the GMB Panthers got one man back the five-on-four powerplay was converted on a rebound for the game-winning goal at 53.33.
Panthers took their time-out with 75 seconds to go and pulled the keeper in favour of the extra skater but Giants picked off a pass out of defence and took the puck in to wrap up a much needed win for the home side as they closed the gap on leaders Nottingham and second placed Coventry.
Belfast and the GMB Panthers do it all again on Saturday night in Northern Ireland. You can next see the GMB Panthers in home ice action next Saturday when Hull Stingrays visit the TrentFM Arena. Tickets now on sale.