Wed 18 Feb 2026 - 9:50PM
18TH FEBRUARY 2026: PANTHERS 3-0 STEELERS
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Nottingham Panthers produced a superb performance to beat Sheffield Steelers 3-0 in the first leg of the Challenge Cup semi-final at the Motorpoint Arena.
Led by two goals by Brendan Harris and a 26-shot shutout for Kevin Carr, it means Panthers take a three-goal lead to Sheffield for next Wednesday's (25th February) second leg.
Carr started betwen the pipes with Luca Sheldon as back-up. Matt Marcinew remained out with injury while Jason Grande and Jarod Hilderman were the healthy scratches.
Panthers score three in first period
After a good opening five minutes for the Steelers which saw Carr make a great save to deny Jordon Southorn, Panthers scored twice in 92 seconds.
Chase Pearson forced a turnover and fed Brendan Harris for a one-timer in the right-circle (05:22), before Ross Armour and Didrik Henbrant combined to set-up Jakob Stridsberg in the slot (06:54).
Nolan Volcan hit the outside of the left-hand post and then linked up with Pearson to find Harris at the backdoor to bury his second of the night (18:09).
No goals in even second period
The second session was much more evenly matched but clear-cut chances were limited for both sides.
Carr made a big close-range save to deny Stephen Harper and the Panthers netminder also turned away Brien Diffley's shot.
At the other end, Bryan Lemos' effort deflected just wide while Matt Alfaro and David Noël had chances on the powerplay.
Panthers see out three-goal victory
Carr stood up big to stop Dominic Cormier who jumped into the play at the backdoor and got a pad to Robert Dowd's shot from the slot.
Panthers pushed for a fourth with Henbrant shooting just wide and Alfaro going close late-on, but the Panthers had done the damage with a three-goal first period for a vital first-leg advantage.
Limited tickets remain for visit of Cardiff on Sunday
Wednesday is not the only big match-up of the week at the Motorpoint Arena as Cardiff Devils visit Nottingham this Sunday (22nd February).
Face-off for the game - which is sponsored by WAGO - is 16:00 and there's very limited tickets remaining.
Matches against Cardiff are always feisty so it's certainly one not to be missed. Join the #PanthersNation and hear that special Panthers roar!