Flames Score Early and Often to Secure Win

Published on: 16 Sep, 2025
Updated on: 16 Sep, 2025

Matt Alvaro celebrating his early goal. John Unwins

Five different goal scorers lifted Flames to a first period 5-1 lead that held up the rest of the way for a 5-2 Cup win against Nottingham Panthers on Spectrum ice on Sunday (September 14).

Josh Waller opened the tap at 7:27 and Charlie Curti added another a little over two minutes later.  Jack Jacome’s marker in the 11th minute was quickly erased by a Tim Doherty strike, but Ethan Strang and Matt Alvaro inside the last two minutes sent Flames to break in command at 5-1.

Despite the high scoring opener, a couple of Panthers powerplays and another for Flames across the middle 20 minutes resulted in no further scoring and the final set began on the same score that closed out the 1st.

In the 3rd, Panthers did get one back off the stick of Zsombor Garat which closed the gap but made no difference to the ultimate result.

Taz Burman made 36 saves on 38 shots against Kevin Carr who faced 36 shots his way, turning away 31.

“Getting an early lead like we did certainly makes the night a lot more comfortable,” admitted Paul Dixon.

“We have struggled with scoring here very early in season and that is a massive boost to maybe take some pressure off guys and it set the stage for a big win and a great way to close the first cup round set of games.”

Share This Post