EHL: Panthers close on Giants

Nottingham Panthers closed to within one point of Elite League leaders Belfast Giants after beating Hull Stingrays 9-3.

Nottingham see off Hull to close gap on Elite League leaders

Nottingham Panthers closed to within one point of Elite League leaders Belfast Giants after recording a 9-3 victory over Hull Stingrays. David Clarke netted in the third period to become the leading scorer in EIHL history with 230 goals in all competitions, while Jeff Heerema and Robert Lachowicz both grabbed two goals. It was Stingrays who took the lead, however, when Jason Silverthorn hit home at 6.52 before Heerema levelled things up on a powerplay at 8.38, with no further scoring in the first period. Nottingham started to take control in the second period when David-Alexandre Beauregard netted at 27.11 before Heerema grabbed his second of the game with exactly 34 minutes gone. But Hull hit back in fine style as first Dominic Osman and then Bobby Chamberlain both counted to tie the scores at 3-3 heading into the third period. There was to be no shock result, however, as Panthers ran away with the contest in the third period with Clarke scoring his milestone goal with just 40 seconds gone and Lachowicz netting at 44.41 to regain the two-goal lead. Marc Levers got in on the act to make it 6-3 and Steve Lee made it seven before Jordan Fox scored on a delayed penalty and Lachowicz netted on a powerplay to complete the scoring.