NOTTINGHAM Panthers were twice pegged back and failed to score in a spell of more than five minutes of five on three hockey before losing 4-3 on penalty shots.
This was definitely one that got away as goals from Greg Jacina and Evan Mosey were cancelled out by Kyle Haines and Ned Lukacevic before Chris Lawrence restored the lead in the third period. Matt Nickerson was jeered by Panthers fans for targeting Max Parent but he made it 3-3 at 55.18.
It went to penalty shots with Bobby Chaumont and Lukacevic scoring. Matt Reber missed for Fife, but Lawrence and Cody Wild missed for Panthers with only Bruce Graham scoring.
Fife had Scott Fleming ejected after 32 minutes for forcing Jonathan Boxill's head into the boards and when Nickerson lost his head Panthers had four minutes with a two man advantage, which they failed to take.
Coach Corey Neilson has expressly said he does not want a tough guy in the line-up but this was one example where one might have been useful to battle Nickerson, who is quite frankly big enough to strike fear into most.
The game was preceded with a loud tribute to fan Kris Dunn who lost his battle with cancer this week at the age of 18. There was a further chanting of his name with two minutes to go in the first period from fans in block 17 of the National Ice Centre.
Panthers were without forwards Brandon Benedict (concussion), Mark Lee (back) and Robert Farmer (foot). Winger Chris Higgins played for the first time in 11 games and Nathan Robinson also dressed despite the club being knocked out of Europe.
He signed a short term deal that covered the team's participation in the Champions Hockey League.
Panthers looked rejuvenated early on as they raced into a 2-0 lead. The first goal came after 1.19 as Sam Oakford showed good persistence to force the puck behind the net and when Boxill fed it in front, Jacina reacted quickly to prod a shot past Kevin Regan before he could get set.
Corey Neilson's men were looking sharp though and Mosey marked his recent return from injury with the second goal.
Bruce Graham showed great strength to work the puck to Rob Lachowicz and he fed Mosey to lift a neat finish over Regan and into the roof of the net.
Lawrence was looking sharp and he almost set up David Clarke for a third, but the chance inadvertently led to a route back in for Fife after 11.52.
They broke away the puck slid in between the Panthers D-men for Jordan Fulton, who showed good speed to make get at Kowalski.
Kowalski made a brilliant save with his left pad, but the rebound feel for Haines and he forced it home just before the net came off its moorings.
The goal came against the run of play, but Fife finished the period strongly as Kowalski scrambled to keep out Matt Reber and then he made an outstanding stop to deny Jamie Wilson in a two on one break.
The Flyers started the second period on the power play and they almost levelled when Fulton did well to set up Chris Auger coming in from the left wing, but he put a big chance onto the bar with Kowalski beaten.
Boxill, Clarke and in particular Mosey all missed good chances to restore the two goal lead but they weren't taken as Fife made it 2-2 at 29.01.
Kyle Horne found Lukacevic and though Kowalksi made a brilliant initial stop diving forwards, he was unable to keep out the rebound from the same player.
Robinson then attacked clear ice in front of him before unleashing a guided shot that came back off the post.
Panthers had an incredible chance to go back in front when Fife totally lost their discipline 32 minutes in.
They had Fleming ejected then Nickerson lost the plot as he picked up a 2+2 penalty for cross checking Parent and then taking a cheap shot at him.
Panthers had four minutes of five on three hockey and that was extended to more than five when Danny Stewart was also sent to the box for slashing.
Of course the Fife goal came under siege, but Regan was not forced into a massive amount of saves as wayward shooting and brave defending kept it at 2-2.
He did make good stops from Lawrence and Robinson and Clarke hit the post, but Fife made it to the interval unscathed.
Panthers were still on the power play at the start of the third for a cheap shot on Kowalski by Fulton. The finally made the most of the advantage as good work from Clarke and Parent found Lawrence to make it 3-2 at 41.15.
It could have been 4-2 straight after as Higgins set up Graham, but he got the puck stuck under his skates. Panthers were made to pay with the third goal coming with 4.42 left during a spell of four v four.
Nickerson was free in front and he showed a cool head to find the far corner. The game went into overtime but with no goals forthcoming it was down to penalty shots.
