NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS 2 TRADE-MART DUNDEE STARS 1 OT
The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars came out with one point in their first game of an away double header as they went back and forth with Nottingham Panthers on Saturday night but were just edged out by the English side in overtime.
By Kris Smith
The Stars were down one player heading into Nottingham as defenseman, Kris Inglis served his one-match suspension for boarding against Fife Flyers last Sunday and that meant experienced forward, Josh Brittain would drop back to fill in on defence.
With only two points separating both teams in the league standings, each side were determined to get the win in order to get their momentum going early in the season but it would be close battle all-night long.
However, Dundee would instantly be put on the back foot as forward, James Phelan was punished for a hooking foul just 26 seconds into the match and the home side would get their powerplay unit out early.
The Stars killed off the penalty well and were helped by goalie, Kevin Carr who started the game off in fine form, making a number of big saves in the first few minutes.
Nottingham then had to kill off their own penalty as Myles McGurty was called for holding in the 10th minute, but they would survive through the two-minute penalty before opening the scoring on 13 minutes.
Panthers forward, Mathieu Lemay had played through teammate, Westin Michaud towards the Stars net but he was forced wide, where he quickly spun and played the puck back out in front of goal, slipping it underneath the legs of Carr in the process and as the Dundee keeper had committed to Michaud, it left Lemay open to shoot into the gaping goal.
After falling behind, the visitors quickly ramped up their efforts in search of an equaliser and the level of physicality was quickly raised with big hits being delivered across the ice.
The Panthers would fail to capitalise on another powerplay in the opening period but held their lead going into the second session, where they would then take three penalties in 15 minutes, giving the Stars a chance to generate momentum and a range of chances on the powerplay.
Eventually, Dundee found a way to crack the Nottingham defence and it came on their fourth man advantage of the night as Joshua Tetlow was boxed for hooking inside 36 minutes, after he prevented Stars forward, Brendan Harms from scoring on a breakaway.
Then, in the 37th minute, Harms would be involved again as the Tayside team drew level after Ryan Valentini’s shot would be blocked by Harms before bouncing off of his left arm and dropping in the right spot for Carter Johnson to sweep home.
A video review confirmed the goal and the Stars used all the momentum they had generated in the second period to put themselves on top and in the third stanza, they were continually pressuring the home team, coming closer and closer to scoring the go-ahead goal.
Although, the final period of regulation time would be scoreless, despite both teams having opportunities to take the lead, if not for some fine goaltending from Carr and Nottingham’s Rok Stojanovic.
Marc LeFebvre’s men would have to kill one more penalty in the third period after Drydn Dow picked up a two-minute minor for interference and then a five-minute major for fighting with an ex-teammate.
The Stars captain had blocked the path of Jordan Kelsall after he played the puck in deep and after being hip-checked by Dow, Kelsall took exception and pursued Dow before the former teammates would drop the gloves and go toe-to-toe in a short bout.
With no winner found in 60 minutes, the game went into overtime and the game-winning-goal would come on 62 minutes as the Panthers exploited the extra space on the ice to find Victor Bjorkung, unmarked on the right flank and he blasted the puck between the glove and pad of Carr.
The Stars came away with a point for their efforts but would have been disappointed to have not come away with both after being on top in the second and third periods, but they now must carry that momentum into Sunday’s game in Sheffield as they complete their English road trip against the Steelers.
Man of the Match
Dundee: #37 Kevin Carr
Nottingham: #91 Victor Bjorkung
Goals
1st:
1-0 Mathieu Lemay (Westin Michaud) 13:11
2nd:
1-1 Carter Johnson (Brendan Harms, Ryan Valentini) 36:48 PPG
3rd:
2-1 Victor Bjorkung (Tyler Welsh) 62:22
All images: Panthers Images.
