Panthers' title-clinching goal 'a blur' for Fossier
Mitch Fossier says the goal he scored to deliver Nottingham Panthers their first piece of silverware for eight years was "a blur".The American winger's 93rd-minute finish at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena sealed a thrilling 4-3 Elite League Ice Hockey (EIHL) Play-Off final victory against the Cardiff Devils in double overtime on Sunday.Panthers had been 3-0 up in the EIHL's showpiece event before the Devils battled back to level in normal time, with more drama following in overtime as both sides had goals ruled out following coach's challenges.Fossier, however, came up with his second goal of the game to spark euphoric celebrations which had the American leaping into the arms of his team-mates in-front of a packed crowd of Panthers supporter who last celebrated a play-off title in 2016."I never really saw the puck go in," Fossier told BBC East Midlands Today."It was all a blur. I just heard the crowd and everyone just started jumping around, so I thought it was a safe bet that I could throw my stuff in the air. It was pure adrenaline."
Panthers' play-off title win made for a glorious end to Danny Stewart's first season in charge of the club.He had Nottingham in contention for the league title going into the final weekend of the regular season before finishing third, and had taken the club to the Challenge Cup semi-finals earlier in the season.It was all enough to earn the former Coventry Blaze boss a new contract on the eve of the play-off series.What followed from there was a scintillating 8-6 aggregate victory against Guildford Flames in the quarter-finals - secured with a 6-3 second-leg win at home - before getting past fierce rivals Sheffield Steelers via an overtime semi-final win, sealed with a goal from retiring captain Sam Herr."There were a lot highs and lows like I'd never seen before," said Stewart of the way Panthers went on to clinch the trophy."Before the weekend that is what we talked about, just riding the highs and lows. "It's easier said than done, but credit to the guys for going out there and doing it."
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