Flyers v Panthers

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers have gone three points clear at the top of the Elite League with a 4-1 victory over Fife Flyers in Kirkcaldy.

Mitch Fossier scored a hat-trick and David Noël chipped in with trademark bullet of a shot as Panthers secured a four-point weekend.

Panthers were without Ollie Betteridge and Finlay Ulrick who are on international duty with Great Britain.

Kevin Carr started between the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up, while Nolan Volcan was the healthy scratch.

No goals in first period
Clear-cut chances in the first period were limited with Fossier, Bryan Lemos and Chase Pearson going closest for the Panthers.

At the other end, Carr made good saves to deny Garet Hunt and Ethan Somoza.

Fossier scores twice in second session
Panthers went ahead in unusual circumstances when Zsombor Garát stick broke and his mishit shot fell to Tim Doherty who found Fossier in the slot to beat Shane Owen (23:23).

Carr made a superb stop to deny Fife forward Ethan Somoza from close-range before Ross Armour set-up Fossier who put away his own rebound for his second of the night (36:22).

Fossier completes hat-trick
Keaton Jameson cut Fife's deficit to one when he scored through the five-hole from the slot within a minute of the restart (40:52).

Flyers pushed for the equaliser and Carr made good stops to turn away efforts by Hunt and Josh Winquist.

A well-worked five-on-three powerplay goal saw David Noël score a trademark bullet (54:26) and Fossier completed his hat-trick inside the final minute into the empty net (59:18) after Owen was lifted for the extra skater.