Fri 26 Dec 2025 - 06:00AM
BOXING DAY PREVIEW: STEELERS V PANTHERS
It's part one of the festive double-header as Nottingham Panthers travel to Sheffield Steelers in the Elite League (16:00 face-off).
Tonight's game is sold-out as is tomorrow's match between the two sides at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
It's a true top-of-the-table clash as leaders Panthers face second-placed Steelers.
Both teams are on 34 points from 21 games but Panthers have the tiebreaker with 14 regulation-time wins compared to Sheffield's 11.
Cardiff Devils are the third team on 34 points and have 13 regulation-time victories from 22 games.
It's the third meeting between Steelers and Panthers in Sheffield with each side winning a game each.
Panthers skated to a 4-2 victory in the Challenge Cup back in October thanks to goals by Tim Doherty, Nolan Volcan, David Noël and Zsombor Garát.
In the league game last month, Panthers secured a point in an 3-2 overtime defeat.
View from the Bench
Head Coach, Danny Stewart, said: "The Steelers are a very good team and this will be another tough test for us.
"We have put in good performances in Sheffield this season and know what it takes to win there. But we know Steelers will come at us hard and we have to be prepared for that."
Team News in association with Candid Digital
Panthers continue to have some injury doubts on the roster ahead of tonight's game in Sheffield. Mitch Fossier will definitely miss the game after it was confirmed he has been placed on IR.
Great Britain international forward Johnny Curran, who signed for the club this week, is available to make his debut.
Shirt Off His Back: Matt Alfaro
Tonight's authentic game-worn jersey is captain Matt Alfaro.
Tickets cost just £1 each and can be purchased here. The competition will run until 22:00 tonight (Boxing Day - Friday 26th December).
We've teamed up with Phat Lads for competitions this season. Click here to create an account now.
Tickets, Webcast and Updates
Tonight's game is sold-out but if you missed out on tickets, it's being shown live on Steelers TV. You can buy the webcast here.
There'll be updates throughout the game on the Panthers X account and there's live scoring on the Elite League website.
Four home games in nine days
Panthers and Steelers meet again in Nottingham tomorrow (Saturday 27th December) at 19:00, while Coventry Blaze are the visitors on New Year's Eve (Wednesday 31st December) at 16:00.
Both these games are sold-out but there's two more chances to watch the Panthers soon, although you need to hurry as these games are selling fast.
Panthers host Guildford Flames at the Motorpoint Arena on Saturday 3rd January (19:00) and Glasgow Clan on Sunday 4th January (17:00). Secure your seats now and be part of the #PanthersNation.