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Wed 5 Apr 2023 - 12:11PM

PLAYOFF MEMORIES: PANTHERS BEAT GIANTS IN 2018

PLAYOFF MEMORIES: PANTHERS BEAT GIANTS IN 2018 Top Image

SATURDAY: PLAYOFF QUARTER-FINAL 1ST LEG - PANTHERS v FLAMES (7PM)
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The Nottingham Panthers have been involved in many thrilling playoff quarter-finals including the drama of 2018 overtime victory against Belfast Giants at the Motorpoint Arena.

Any two-legged quarter-final victory is special, but the drama of winning in overtime is perhaps one of the most special moments of all.

The first leg took place in Northern Ireland and the Giants raced into a three-goal lead at the 14-minute mark thanks to Darcy Murphy, David Rutherford and Colin Shields.

David Clarke and Mark Delargo scored either side of the first intermission, but John Kurtz increased Belfast's lead back to two.

Clarke netted in the third period to reduce the arrears but the Giants claimed a 4-3 first-leg victory.

The following night at the Motorpoint Arena, Belfast raced into a two-goal lead inside the first five minutes through Jonathan Ferland and Kevin Raine to lead by three on aggregate.

The task in hand looked huge and it was going to need something special for Panthers to book their place in the final four.

But then that something special happened as Delargo and Evan Mosey (short-handed) drew Panthers level on the night by the second intermission.

Brett Perlini scored early in the third period to level the tie on aggregate and then Yann Sauve scored inside the final five minutes to put Panthers ahead for the first time in the tie.

But Belfast hit straight back on the very next shift as Jim Vandermeer's goal sent the game to overtime.

In overtime, despite being tripped to his knees Raphael Bussieres dug the puck out the corner to feed Alexander Mokshantsev who saw his shot saved by the pads of Jackson Whistle, but Dan Spang was on hand to buy the rebound and send the Motorpoint Arena wild.

Panthers, against all the odds, booked their place in finals weekend with a 5-3 victory on the night and an 8-7 aggregate victory and you can watch all the best bits below.

The 2023 playoffs start on Saturday as The Nottingham Panthers host Guildford Flames in the first leg of the quarter-finals, with the second leg taking place on-the-road at The Spectrum on Sunday.

Face-off at the Motorpoint Arena is 7pm. Click here to buy tickets.