Superfinals PACLed

Angers and Nottingham, both winning in the first day, cross the sticks for a decisive game to secure a place in the Superfinals. Nottingham is without starting goalie Miika Wiikman, injured last night against Odense, replaced between the pipes by Jindrich Pacl and by veteran Dan Green in the roster.

The game it's pleasant from the beginning, with Angers paying a less athleticism, however, compensated by a higher speed on ice. It’s same Angers to open the score in the first power play with a nice shot by Jonathan Lessard after 4 minutes. Nottingham quickly reacts with chances for Farmer and Betteridge, equalizing with a beautiful move by Jeff Brown, controlling the puck and beating Bertein with a turnaround. One minute after Bertein is decisive deflecting with the pad an attempt by Kalus. Nottingham dominates the second part of period forced the French defence to an extra work. Bertein is certain twice on Dan Spang. Another powerplay is the chance for Angers unexpectedly doubles the score: Panthers complain for a charge in the French defence, not punished by referees, Angers is quickly on the other side with Lessard finishing an attacking move netting an assist from Robin Gaborit.

Angers has two good chances, both blocked by Pacl, in the first minutes of second period, despite an inferiority, but suffered the second equalizer by Nottingham, scored at 24:07 by Brad Moran. After the goal the Panthers occupied regularly the French defensive zone, so the third goal is the logical consequence of this predominance: at 35:23 Kristian Kudroc finds the net on Petr Kalus assist. Farmer and same Kudroc have two chances right after but Bertein is reactive. Before the end of the period Angers has a great chance to score but Lessard arrived late on the smart assist by Campbell.

Angers produced a great pressure in the last period, getting Panthers cornered, with notable chances for Lessard and Walls and a couple of power plays well controlled by Panthers’ defence. Playing constantly on attack, Angers opens the way to counterattacks and Panthers wisely used the speed of Robert Farmer: at 55:03 a fast coast-to-coast is perfectly finished by Brian McGrattan for the fourth goal.

Angers scored the third goal

Angers doesn’t pull the goalie and finds the third goal with 22 seconds to play with Gary Leveque. Pacl earns the title of MVP with two decisive saves in last seconds to send Nottingham to Superfinals

Jitters at the final whistle

MVP: Jonathan Lessard – Jindrich Pacl

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