Panthers pounce on Stars’ misfortune

Stars fought hard at Nottingham last night but an unlucky bounce undid all the hard work as Panthers capitalised in their Elite League clash.

Omar Pacha’s side created two quick-scoring opportunities with Elgin Pearce and Drydn Dow denied from point-blank range.

Nottingham opened the scoring inside five minutes as Brett Bulmer sent Dundee netminder Alex Leclerc the wrong way.

Coach Tim Wallace’s Panthers saw off a hooking penalty and neither side could add to the scoresheet before the first break.

The visitors came out firing again and drew level just 95 seconds into the second period.

Kevin Dufour skated the length of the ice and rounded the Nottingham net before shooting but Kevin Carr got down at his left post to make the initial save. However, the rebound landed at the back post, where Justin Maylan was waiting to tap in.

The home team went ahead again after 28 minutes as Sam Herr pounced on a loose puck to score with a backhanded effort.

Nottingham had a powerplay chance but had to settle for a 2-1 lead at the final break.

The Tayside team again started on the front foot and tied the game when Anthony Beauregard redirected a Pearce pass past Carr.

Just 39 seconds later, though, Panthers pounced on a fortunate bounce to move ahead.

George Golovkovs fired a shot that was well off target but it hit the glass behind the Dundee goal and landed out in front of the net where Jacob Hansen could easily tap it in as Leclerc lost sight of the puck.

Stars pushed hard for a third equaliser but Hansen bagged his second for the hosts after 51 minutes.

Dundonian Jordan Cownie had the best chance to get Stars back in the game with four minutes remaining but the Nottingham goalie stood firm.

Pacha gambled in the final two minutes and sent out an extra attacker in place of Leclerc but Brett Perlini confirmed the result when he picked out the vacant Dundee net from the halfway line to make it 5-2.

It was announced on Freesports last night that Pacha had chosen Glasgow Clan as the opponents for his Stars side in this season’s Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Dundee had first overall pick after finishing the group stage with the best record.

The Taysiders forfeited their right to home advantage in the second leg and will play the first leg at Dundee Ice Arena on Friday November 22.

Pacha said: “We had to make our decision pretty quickly because of limited ice time in December for us.

“We have had success against them in the Challenge Cup group phase and in the last home game in the league, we got full points (against Glasgow).

“They are a good rival team and it is a good opportunity to get our fans, not only in number here against a rival team, but also it is a quick trip over to Glasgow for the second leg.

“So, I think it is a great opportunity for this club to push the game and the rivalry and hopefully this will give us the best advantage to make the next round.”

Misfiring Fife Flyers went down 4-1 to Belfast Giants in a televised Elite League game at Fife Ice Arena last night, while Glasgow Clan skidded to a 2-1 road defeat at Guildford Flames.