22 Jan 2025 | Regular season | Play in rnd | Motorpoint Arena Nottingham |
Nottingham Panthers | 5-1 | Glasgow Clan |
Periods: Shots: | 2-0 ( - ) | 1-1 ( - ) | 2-0 ( - ) |
|
Referees: #9 Joe Sewell, Chris Wells  |  Spectators: 3813 |
  |
Goals and assists
Nottingham Panthers clinched the final place in the Challenge Cup
Semi-Finals with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Glasgow Clan at the
Motorpoint Arena.
In the one-off, winner takes all Elimination
Game, the Panthers were the quicker team out of the blocks and forced
Landon Bow into some good early stops to keep the game level. At 13:20
the Panthers thought they'd taken the lead, but the goal was reviewed as
the puck entered the net off Didrik Henbrant's stick. For the first
time in the Elite League, the review decision was made remotely in the
EIHL Situation Room, calling the goal back for a distinct kicking
motion.
As the play was on a delayed penalty, Steven Seigo entered
the box and the Panthers never looked back. Sam Herr netted from close
range just 13 seconds later, and 38 seconds after that Cooper Zech's
shot flew past Bow to make it 2-0. Clan had a pushback as the period
wound down with a couple of odd-man rushes, but couldn't find a way past
Jason Grande.
A wonderful Mitch Heard snipe pulled Clan back to
within one just 2:11 into period two, before Clan shot themselves in the
foot somewhat. The visitors filed to take advantage of a 3-on-1 rush up
the ice, and then saw the Panthers come back the other way on a 2-on-1
where Mitchell Fossier fired high into Bow's net to make it 3-1 at
29:29. Prior to that play, Tyson McLellan had an excellent point-blank
chance to level the game but shot into Grande when the top of the net
was open.
When Matt Alfaro made it 4-1 5:51 into period three, the
tie was as good as over. Hugo Roy added a fifth which is where the
scoring ended, and the Panthers took a solid home win to keep their
Challenge Cup campaign alive.