Panthers v Gothiques

Match Report

Nottingham Panthers beat Gothiques d'Amiens 4-1 at the Motorpoint Arena to make it two wins from two in pre-season.

The victory saw Panthers win the GM the GM Memorial Trophy which is named in honour of former General Manager Gary Moran who passed away in 2021.

Bruce Richardson - who was a crowd favourite for the Panthers between 2008 and 2010 - was given a standing ovation ahead of face-off as he returned to Nottingham as Head Coach of Amiens.

Tim Doherty, Darick Louis-Jean, Chase Pearson and Spencer Naas were all on target for the Panthers, while there was a feisty end to the game with three fights in the final 79 seconds.

Panthers named the same line-up from last week's 4-2 victory over Angers as Mat Robson started between the pipes with Kai Edmonds as back-up

Doherty gives Panthers first-period lead
Zach O'Brien had a chance inside the first minute as Panthers made a strong start while Matt Alfaro also went close.

Panthers took the lead when Ben Cobeil neatly fed Doherty in the slot (11:03).

At the other end, Robson had to be sharp to stop two successive close-range efforts as Panthers went to the first intermission with a one-goal lead.

Louis-John and Pearson on target in second session
Corbeil and Alfaro combined well to set-up Doherty who saw his shot saved, but Panthers went 2-0 ahead soon after.

Naas threaded the puck on a plate to the onrushing Louis-John who fired top-shelf for a superb goal (22:40).

Amiens closed the gap on the powerplay when Nicholas Girouard forced the puck over the line from close-range (27:48).

Panthers went to the second intermission with a two-goal advantage as Doherty and O'Brien combined to set-up Pearson on the doorstep on the powerplay (37:34).

Naas secures the victory
Edmonds replaced Robson at the start of the third period and made a good save to deny Ilies Djemel.

At the other end, Naas and Max Grondin went close in quick succession as Panthers pushed for a fourth.

It arrived in the closing stages as Pearson sent Naas down the left-wing and he cut inside to go top-shelf to set the seal on the win (56:27).

Joe Hazeldine fought Estaban Voiturier and Doherty dropped the gloves with Mathieu Mony as part of a line brawl (58:41) while Jordan Kelsall went toe-to-toe with Enzo Benoit on the final hooter as the large Saturday night crowd were treated to a feisty finish.