Giants v Panthers

Match Report

The Nottingham Panthers were beaten 4-2 by Belfast Giants at the SSE Arena in the Elite League on Saturday night.

Panthers were without Josh Tetlow, Ollie Betteridge and Austin Farley, but Joe Hazeldine returned to the line-up after missing last night's game. Netminder Rok Stojanovic started between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up.

Roy's powerplay goal reduces the arrears after Giants take early advantage
The hosts took an early lead though Greg Printz on the powerplay when he reacted first to a loose puck on the doorstep (3:50), while Bobby MacIntyre made it 2-0 with a one-timer from the right-circle (8:00), also on the man advantage.

After taking a succession of penalties, Panthers ended the period stronger with Myles McGurty having a shot from right-point saved before reducing the arrears with a five-on-three powerplay goal.

Carl Neill shaped to shoot as he cut inside from the point but instead fed Hugo Roy at the backdoor to fire a one-timer past Tyler Beskorowany (17:00).

Belfast stretch lead in second period
Stojanovic made a great instinctive save to deny Ciaran Long and at the other end, Tyler Beskorowany make a big sprawling stop on Stephen Anderson from close-range.

The Panthers netminder also turned away shots from David Goodwin and Jeff Baum, but Giants went 3-1 ahead when they forced a turnover and Ben Lake fed Ara Nazarian in the slot (34:53).

Nieminen scores for Panthers but Belfast take the two points
Otto Nieminen closed the gap as he picked the puck up in the neutral zone before gliding into the offensive zone, cutting inside from the left and firing a beautiful wrist-shot past Beskorowany (43:26).

Oliver Cooper restored the home side's two-goal lead when he beat his man on the boards and cut inside off the right-wing to slot the puck past Stojanovic (49:20).

Panthers lifted Stojanovic for the extra out-skater but despite some chances from close-range, Beskorowany stood firm to help his side to a four-point weekend.