Pre‑Season Opener at Motorpoint Arena
The Nottingham Panthers opened their pre‑season campaign with a 4‑2 victory over French side Ducs d’Angers in front of a lively crowd at the Motorpoint Arena. From the opening face‑off, the game set a brisk tempo, with both squads looking to fine‑tune their rosters ahead of the upcoming league season.
Ducs d’Angers struck first when Reid Duke found the back of the net just 80 seconds in, catching the Panthers off guard and forcing an early response. Nottingham answered quickly, with Max Grondin equalising before the end of the opening period, and the Canadian forward added a second goal later in the frame to put his side ahead.
Grondin’s double was complemented by a third‑period strike from Chase Pearson, while defenceman Miika Pitkänen sealed the win with a late goal with just over a minute remaining. The 4‑2 final score reflected a balanced offensive display and a solid defensive effort from the Panthers.
Dundee Stars Deliver Shutout against Clan
Later in the day, Dundee Stars claimed a 3‑0 win over Clan, asserting dominance in the final period of play. Veteran forward Gary Haden opened the scoring at 51:15, followed by Travis Ewanyk’s second goal two minutes later.
Jonathan McBean capped the performance with a third goal at 56:22, securing a clean sheet for the Stars and highlighting the effectiveness of their defensive unit under new head coach Scott Dutertre, who made his competitive debut in the role.
Both teams used the matches as a platform to experiment with line combinations and assess the fitness of key players, setting a positive tone for the weeks ahead. The early victories also provided a boost to fan engagement, with social media reactions underscoring the excitement surrounding the upcoming season.