Wed 17 Dec 2025 - 9:55PM
PANTHERS BEAT CLAN TO REACH CUP SEMI-FINALS
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Nottingham Panthers produced a backs-to-the-wall performance to beat Glasgow Clan 4-1 in Braehead Arena in the Challenge Cup Elimination Game.
Victory secured a two-legged semi-finals with arch rival Sheffield Steelers and dates for the two matches will be announced in due course.
Kevin Carr was outstanding between the pipes as he turned away 27 of the 28 shots he faced. Jason Grande was back-up while Luca Sheldon was a healthy scratch.
Didrik Henbrant returned to the line-up but Panthers were without the injured Mitch Fossier, Brendan Harris, Jordan Kelsall and Chase Pearson.
No goals in end-to-end first session
Carr made good saves to deny Colton Poolman and Cade Neilson inside the first three minutes as Clan made a good start.
Panthers got stronger the longer the period went on with Matt Alfaro going close, David Noël hitting the pipes and Tim Doherty the inside of the right-hand post.
Noël and Marcinew score crucial second-period goals
Panthers took the lead early in the second period when Noël's shot from right-point through traffic beat Sami Aittokallio (22:11).
Carr made an outstanding point-blank save on Jason Fram and also turned away Brayden Burke's close-range effort.
Tristin Langan cut inside from the right to equalise for the Clan (34:30), before Matt Marcinew produced a superb move to go backhand top-shelf as Panthers scored with 13 seconds remaining in the period (39:47).
Spencer and Doherty goals secure outstanding victory
Noël and Doherty went close in the opening stages of the third period and at the other end, Carr made outstanding stops on Langan and former Panther Robert Lachowicz.
Cooper Zech, who played as a forward, fed Matt Spencer to make it 3-1 on a two-on-one break (52:36), before Jarod Hilderman made an outstanding block to deny Poolman with the goal at his mercy.
Doherty wrapped the game up with an empty-net goal (57:37) to seal a memorable night in Glasgow.
Handful of tickets remain for Sunday
​Panthers return to the Motorpoint Arena this Sunday (21st December) to face Guildford Flames in the Elite League (16:00 face-off).
There's just a handful of tickets left and this game will sell out, so you're urged to secure your seats asap to avoid disappointment.
The game - which is sponsored by Nottingham City Council Parking Services - has two huge league points on the line so it's not to be missed!