Nottingham Panthers completed a four-point Challenge Cup weekend with a 6-3 win over Guildford Flames on Sunday, their second victory in two days. They made a rapid start, with Chase Pearson opening the scoring after 1:14 and Spencer Naas doubling the lead just 21 seconds later.
Guildford responded through Cole Sanford, but Pearson scored again at 14:00. Sanford struck on the powerplay late in the first period to make it 3-2. Naas added his second in the middle frame before Jack Jacome pulled the Flames back within one. Miikka Pitkänen scored on a Nottingham powerplay late in the period to restore a two-goal advantage, and Zach O’Brien was the only scorer in the third.
Naas said the Panthers’ start was important and praised their game management, resilience and ability to handle adversity. Sanford said Guildford had been sluggish early and felt his team spent much of the game chasing Nottingham.