Mixed fortunes for inconsistent Flyers

Peter LeBlanc found a way through for Fife Flyers when he claimed the gamewinning penalty shot to edge Nottingham Panthers 5-4 at Kirkcaldy.

The sides were level at 2-2 after the first session and 3-3 after the middle period.

They were still tied at 4-4 at the end of regulation, with man of the match Carlo Finucci claming three of Flyers goals with Ricards Birzins getting the other.

The teams could not be separated after overtime but ice cool LeBlanc slotted his penalty shot as three Panthers missed.

It was a different story last night, however, as Flyers were routed 8-1 by Sheffield Steelers.

Despite this defeat, however, the Flyers held on to fourth position in the Elite League.

Colton Fretter claimed a double and there were singles for Liam Kirk, Mathieu Roy, Miika Framssila, Tim Wallace, Matt Marquardt and former Edinburgh Capitals defenceman Ben O’Connor.

The 4,863 fans inside the Sheffield Arena had hardly sat down when Marquardt scored after 42 seconds.

It was 2-0 after 10 minutes when O’Connor netted and 3-0 when Fretter claimed his first goal six minutes later.

Franssila popped in number four after 23 minutes and Roy’s strike came two minutes later.

Kirk, unassisted, slotted home after 31 minutes and Fretter’s second arrived short-handed in 36 minutes.

The visitors opened their account when James Isaacs scored 55 seconds into the final session, with Charlie Mosey and Chase Schaber assisting.

But Wallace wrapped-up the scoring after 51 minutes .

Flyers’ defeat snaps an impressive five-game winning run in which they have 60 points from 44 league games.

Inconsistent Steelers, who are fifth, close to within a point of Flyers but have played 47 fixtures.

At least Fife have a positive as they have guaranteed a place in the end-ofseason play-offs along with Cardiff Devils, Manchester Storm and Belfast Giants.