Thriller in Nottingham Goes Way of Panthers

First Period

After the ironwork was ratted five times in Saturday night’s game, Mike Lee struck the post early in this one. Mitchell Fossier had a couple of efforts saved with the first one taking a couple of deflections only for Alexis Gravel to make a good save. David Noel was then penalised for the third time this weekend but that penalty was killed despite Saturday’s hat-trick hero Brandon Whistle hitting the upright yet again.

After this penalty kill, the hosts broke away and, having been fed by Matt Spencer, Fossier finished well one-on-one with Gravel (1-0). The Georgia-born forward had another chance soon after that Gravel saved before the Giants went on another powerplay. This one came about when Ross Armour was penalised for high-sticking and Nicolas Guay bundled the puck into the net after Jordan Kawaguchi’s close-range effort (1-1)

This gave the visitors confidence and David Goodwin broke away at pace only to be denied by Jason Grande. The Panthers goalie then made another save from Bo Hanson’s shot but the puck fell loose and was buried by JJ Piccinich for his second goal of the weekend to send the Giants in at the first intermission with a lead. (1-2)

Second Period

The second period started with a good chance for Oliver Betteridge that was held by Gravel before his opposite number Grande denied Gabe Bast. The Panthers then picked up a loose puck in centre ice and Nolan Volcan sprang Chase Pearson free to finish past Gravel to tie the game again. (2-2)

Ryan Smith had a big chance to re-establish the Belfast lead soon after but the Virginia-born forward slid his effort wide before Nottingham started to gain a foothold. Brendan Harris showed nifty footwork to dance his way through but was denied by the Giants’ net-minder.

Cooper Zech and Spencer were the next to try their luck before another breakaway saw Didrik Henbrant finish well to give the hosts the lead heading into the second intermission. (3-2).

Third Period

Adam Keefe’s men came out of the traps rapidly to start the third and Piccinich had his second of the game and third of the weekend after just seventeen seconds to level the game yet again (3-3). Scott Conway rippled the side netting of Grande’s goal shortly after as the visitors looked to land a quick-fire double on their hosts.

However, Danny Stewart’s side regained their foothold and had chances for Henbrant and Armour that were repelled by Gravel before Fossier struck again for his second as this see-saw game swung back in favour of the hosts. (4-3)

Bast tried to strike back for the Giants as this thrilling game continued, however, the Alberta-born defenceman couldn’t get the better of Grande in the home goal. That would prove to be a big save and a game-changing moment as Fossier turned provider this time for Tim Doherty to finish into an unguarded net. (5-3)

Smith got a puck on net late in the game as the visitors tried to haul themselves back into contention but Grande got a glove to it while Piccinich was denied his hat-trick late on as the Giants added an extra skater. That left the cage open for Harris but he slid wide with just seconds to go. Ultimately, though, the Panthers earned a split of the weekend series on their home ice and inflicted just a second regulation league loss on the Giants in 2026.

Up Next

The Giants are back on home ice on Wednesday 18 February as the Coventry Blaze are in town for the second leg of the Challenge Cup semi-final. Tickets for that huge clash are selling fast but a limited amount are still available to purchase here.