One from three, that’s the equation going into the final weekend of the Elite League season, and ‘the one’ will be this seasons’ title winners.

Belfast Giants (76pts) currently lead the way in the league standing, Sheffield Steelers (75pts) are sitting second, and Danny Stewart’s Nottingham Panthers (72pts) are there, in third place – the Steelers face both the Cardiff Devils (h) and the Coventry Blaze (a), whilst there’s an almighty clash as the other two sides face each other, on both nights.

The season finale double-header will see the Panthers travel to the SSE Arena on Saturday (5 April) night, before welcoming their title rivals, to the Motorpoint Arena, the following (6 April) night, in what will be a sold-out occasion.

The two sides have already face off six times this season, four in the league and twice in the Challenge Cup and, you really can’t split them, both sides have won their three, respective home contests, and there’s been twelve goals apiece as well.

Ahead of the double-header this weekend, the Panthers Head Coach told PanthersTV that:

“Going into the final weekend with a chance to lift silverware, it’s phenomenal and exciting. The guys are up for it.

“To get to where we are has been a team effort. It starts with everything that’s been done off the ice and Omar (Pacha) with the recruiting has given me the resources.

“The day-to-day staff that are with me, embracing the grind every day, and the players who have been phenomenal this year. It’s a collective effort.”

The Panthers are heading into the final weekend on the back of seven wins in their last ten outings, although having won five straight, they did lose on Saturday gone, 4-1 away to Guildford Flames.

The Panthers will lift the Elite League title if they beat Belfast Giants twice, over the coming weekend, and the Sheffield Steelers are beaten by both Cardiff Devils and Coventry Blaze – outcomes require being in regulation-time.

Another winning scenario would see Stewart’s side picking up regulation-time victories, and finishing level on 76pts with their rivals; with the side from Nottingham having more successes (Panthers 32, Giants 31), the Panthers would also win the title.

Although focus for the Panthers will, without question be on the weekend’s double-header with the Giants, there’ll also be that back-of-the-mind thought that, a week after the regular season concludes, the post-season play-offs begin.

One place is left for the taking with either Dundee Stars or Manchester Storm joining that of the Giants, Steelers, and Panthers, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Guildford Flames, and Glasgow Clan – the quarter-final, in which the Panthers are at home, takes place on Saturday

13 April, tickets for which are available HERE

There is also the annual awards night for the Panthers in the immediate future, that taking place on Tuesday 15 April, tickets for which can be purchased HERE

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @PanthersIHC it’s been a terrific season so far for Nottingham Panthers.