Glasgow Clan vs Nottingham Panthers (Challenge Cup Elimination Game)

The Premier Sports sponsored Glasgow Clan exited the Challenge Cup as the Nottingham Panthers booked their spots in the semi finals with a 4-1 elimination game win at Braehead.

The Clan got off to a strong start in the offensive zone with Colton Poolman returning from injury and instantly setting the mark with a shot from the left dot which Kevin Carr absorbed into the logo.

Brayden Burke then fired a shot from the blue line which Cade Neilson redirected just in front of the crease but Carr was quick to it with his stick and batted it away.

Bryan Lemos then dropped a pass into the crease from behind the Clan net which bounced off Miikali Teppo and Sami Aittokallio had to be quick to help out his Finish teammate with a poke check to clear the danger.

David Noel then ripped a shot from deep in the slot which deflected of Rob Lachowicz and bounced off the outside of the pipe before Tim Doherty also hit the frame of the net with a shot from close range which had to be reviewed to be ruled no goal.

Rylan Schwartz forced a turnover in the Panthers zone before the end of the period which allowed Brett Neumann in on goal all alone but his shot was caught cleanly by Carr.

David Noel broke the deadlock early in the second period with a shot from distance which fizzed through traffic and the five hole of a blind-sided Aittokallio.

Jasom Fram corked a first time shot after a feed from behind the net from Cade Neilson which forced a solid save out of Carr before Brady Risk was taken down on a breakaway as he tried to dangle to the net front past Noel

The resulting powerplay was unproductive for Glasgow with Alfaro and Lemos getting the best chances of the two minutes for the shorthanded Panthers.

The Clan then made a fortunate escape from a 2-on-1 for Nottingham as Alfaro fired a shot from close range after deking past Teppo and the rebound fell to Didrik Henbrant who’s shot looped over the Clan net.

Poolman then took the puck through the zones to kickstart a move for Glasgow which Tristin Langan finished off with a nice drag past Carr and a composed backhand finish to tie the game up.

The Panthers continued to push despite the Clan equaliser though and put themselves back in front with 13 seconds to go after a poor defensive turnover by the hosts allowed Matthew Marcinew to walk the puck over the line.

Jarod Hilderman cranked a slapshot from the blue line which Aittokallio had to kick clear with his pads to get the third period going in Braehead.

A pass up ice from Seigo deflected off a couple of sticks and bounced into the path of Lachowicz who burst out on a breakaway but his shot was covered up by Carr.

Brett Neumann then stole possession in the neutral zone and created a breakaway of his own bit Carr burst off his line to deny the #63 the chance to get a shot off.

The Clan dominated the offensive chances in the third period but the Panthers were more clinical with their opportunities with Matt Spencer rifling home a third goal for Nottingham just after the 50-minute mark to double their lead.

Neilson did well to flip the puck to the far side to a wide open Burke later in the game, but Lemos did brilliantly for the Panthers to get his stick in the way and deflect it over.

Corey Neilson called a timeout with over three minutes left in the game and kept Aittokallio at the bench to put out the extra skater with Brett Neumann then getting a wide open chance at the backdoor but his shot came off the crossbar and stayed out.

Tim Doherty then took the puck up ice after a faceoff win in the Panthers zone and sliced a fourth goal into the empty net to crush the hopes of the Braehead crowd and end the night with a 4-1 win for Nottingham.