Panthers Make The Playoffs

Since lifting the IIHF Continental Cup for a second time back in mid-January, the Nottingham Panthers have been playing a game of even-stevens on the ice, and in doing so, have punched their ticket for the playoffs.

That will see them face rivals Sheffield Steelers, again, who coincidentally they lead in the Challenge Cup semi-finals, following a 3-0, first leg success at home last Wednesday night, all three scores arriving in the first period via a Brendan Harris double, and Jakob Stridsberg’s effort sandwiched between – netminder Kevin Carr also registered a 26-shot shut-out.

Back in late January, after the Conti Cup had been lifted, the Panthers welcomed Guildford Flames to the Motorpoint Arena, John Curran’s double helping them to a 4-1 success; that win however was quickly followed by a trio of losses, 5-4 in the return with the Flames, a 4-1 reverse in Glasgow against the Clan, and a 4-3 loss at home to Dundee Stars, Matt Alfaro netting a brace against the Flames to take his tally to three over the two games, David Noel doubling up in the latter; Keanu Yanamoto also bagged a double for the victorious Stars.

Back-to-back wins were then picked up as Danny Stewart’s side re-established their push at the top end of the Elite League table, the Panthers seeing off Cardiff Devils and Glasgow Clan on the road, as we ticked into early February.

In Cardiff it would be Cooper Zech at the double as the Panthers eventually put paid to the hosting Devils, Tim Doherty and Bryan Lemos also netting, that being followed up by a seven-goal thriller in Glasgow with a shoot-out success over the Clan.

Nolan Vulcan, David Noel and Ollie Betteridge scored for the Panthers, the Clan replying through Felix Pare, Brett Neumann, and Tristan Langan, Mitch Fossier netting the winning shoot-out score.

The Panthers then lost their next two as their see-saw start to 2026 continued, Coventry Blaze nicking a 2-1 shoot-out success in Nottingham in early February, before Belfast Giants broke Nottingham hearts at the Motorpoint on Valentines Night, Brandon Whistle’s hat-trick effectively cancelling out scores from Volcan and Alfaro.

The last three Elite League outings however has seen the Panthers register two wins, with a tough, 5-1 loss at Manchester Storm sandwiched between; the Giants loss was immediately avenged the following night, JJ Piccnich’s double in vain as Fossier (2), Chase Pearson, Didrik Henbrant, and Tim Doherty all registered for the hosts in a 5-3 win, overturning a 2-1, first period deficit.

Against the Storm however, the Panthers shipped four in a devastating, first period for the hosts, Gary Haden, Brandon Cutler, Brady Gilmour and Kaleb Engang all scoring before Doherty pulled one back in the second, Nick Welsh completing the rout late on for the hosts.

A tight result at home to the Devils this past Sunday night, combined with results elsewhere, saw the Panthers seal their place in the playoffs; Matt Alfaro and Matthew Marcinew netted in each of the first two periods, giving the hosts a two-goal lead, however, the Devils struck

back to level through third period scores by Ryan Barrow and Kohen Olischefski, Marcinew with decider in the shout-out.

Despite slipping to fourth in the Elite League standings, the win over the Devils, and some fourteen, regular season games to play, confirmed the Panthers for the playoffs; they currently trail leaders Belfast Giants by eight points, with the Steelers and Devils in second and third respectively, the Panthers with a game in hand on those two in the race for the Elite League title.

There’s a lot of ice to be skated before then however, Stewart’s Panthers looking to book their place in the Challenge Cup final with success over arch-rivals, Sheffield Steelers; boasting a three-goal lead from the first leg, a positive result will see them clinch a final date with the winner of the other semi-final, Coventry Blaze holding a narrow, 3-2 advantage over Belfast Giants.

That cup semi-final is on Wednesday (25 February) night, and is quickly followed by weekend action on Saturday and Sunday, the Panthers hosting the Storm first, on the 28 February, before making the trip to Guildford, and the Flames, the following (1 March) night.

No doubt selling out quickly, tickets for the first leg of the playoffs, against the Steelers, on 12 April, are now on sale HERE with finals weekend, at the Motorpoint Arena, scheduled for the weekend of 18/19 April 2026.