Stars v Panthers

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers remain top of the Elite League table with a 4-3 victory on the road in Scotland against Dundee Stars.

Captain Matt Alfaro bagged the game-winner with a superb finish, Ross Armour scored his fourth goal of the weekend and there were also goals for Matt Marcinew and Zsombor Garát

Panthers were at full-strength with Nolan Volcan the healthy scratch. Jason Grande started between the pipes for the first time in a month after recovering from an upper body injury, while Luca Sheldon was back-up.

Marcinew and Armour give Panthers first-period lead
Grande made an early save to deny Spener Naas before Chase Pearson forced a turnover and fed Marcinew in the slot to put Panthers ahead after 90 seconds (01:30).

Alfaro, Armour, Mitch Fossier and Didrik Henbrant had chances in a dominant period for the Panthers while at the other end, Grande denied Matt Berry from close-range.

The second goal arrived on the powerplay in the closing stages of the session as Alfaro gained the zone and quick passes between Fossier and David Noël set-up Armour to score backhand top-shelf (19:30).

Olsson's goal reduces Dundee deficit to one
Stars closed the gap when a bobbling puck fell to Hampus Olsson to score from close-range at the backdoor (24:06).

Fossier's backhand shot was saved by Jarrett Fiske and Cooper Zech went close twice in quick succession.

Grande had to be alert to make good saves to deny Berry, Drydn Dow and Craig Garrigan as Dundee ended the second period strongly.

Captain Alfaro scores game-winner for first of the season
Pearson got to a loose puck first and found Garát who fired a beauty past Fiske from the top of the right-circle (46:18).

Grande made a huge save to stop Keanu Yamamoto's close-range effort but could do nothing about a bullet of a shot from his former team-mate Otto Nieminen from the high slot (54:18).

Matt Spencer's superb stretch pass sent Alfaro clear who beat Fiske over his shoulder (57:40).

There was still time for Morten Jurgens to make it a one-goal game from the left-circle on a six-on-five play with Fiske lifted for the extra skater (59:04), but Panthers held firm to secure a sixth successive victory.