Sun 4 Oct 2026 - 8:25PM
4TH OCTOBER 2026: FLAMES 3-6 PANTHERS
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Nottingham Panthers moved up to second in Group A of the Challenge Cup with a 6-3 victory over Guildford Flames at The Spectrum.
Chase Pearson and Spencer Naas scored twice as Panthers made it a four-point weekend to move a point behind Group A leaders Sheffield Steelers.
Head Coach Danny Stewart named the same line-up as Saturday night's 4-3 victory over Coventry Blaze with Mat Robson between the pipes and Luca Sheldon as back-up.
Pearson scores twice in first period
Panthers made a great start and led 2-0 within 95 seconds which was started when Zach O'Brien and Tim Doherty combined behind the net to feed Pearson to score from close-range (01:14).
On the very next shift, Panthers forced the turnover as Brandon Frattaroli and Max Grondin linked up to find Naas who beat Justin Fazio from the right-circle only 21 seconds later (01:35).
Cole Sanford used his speed right-hand side and beat Robson through the five-hole to reduce the arrears (07:09), before the Panthers netminder made an important pad save to deny Nate Kallen on the breakaway.
O'Brien played the puck forward to Pearson who cut inside from the left and went low on his backhand for his second of the night (14:00), but Flames hit back when Sanford went top corner from the right-circle on the powerplay (19:03).
Naas scores his second as Panthers lead by two at second intermission
Strong work by Frattaroli on the boards freed the puck up for Grondin to set-up Naas in the slot to score his second of the night (23:56).
Guildford's third arrived with some controversy when Jack Jacome directed the puck past Robson with a turn of his skate from close-range (25:23).
It was given after a video review and Panthers will feel aggrieved after having a Grondin goal disallowed a week ago in near identical fashion.
Justin Ducharme hit the crossbar as the Flames went close at one end, before Ollie Betteridge was denied by Fazio from close-range as Panthers looked for a fifth of the night.
Panthers did make it five on the powerplay as the period drew to a close as Matt Alfaro's perfect pass pulled Fazio out of position and Miikka Pitkänen scored into an unguarded right side of the net (37:18).
O'Brien puts seal on impressive road victory
Superb hustle by Doherty set-up O'Brien and he went top-shelf from the slot to stretch Panthers' lead to three (43:44).
Big chances were limited in the third period but Robson made two good close-range saves to deny the Flames in quick succession.
Gordie Ballhorn dropped the gloves with Karl Boudrias as the game turned feisty midway through the third period.
And in the final moments, Grondin fought Jake Willets following an incident in front of the Flames net as Panthers secured a vital two points.
Next at home: Sunday 11th October v Fife Flyers
Panthers have Motorpoint Elite League action next weekend with the visit of Fife Flyers on Sunday 11th October (16:00 face-off). The game is sponsored by Candid Digital.
Family Tickets are available in Block 8 and Block 12 which offer reduced admission compared to full standard matchnight prices.
Join the #PanthersNation for an exciting afternoon of action. Tickets are selling fast so secure yours asap.