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Wed 18 Feb 2026 - 09:00AM

MIDWEEK LOWDOWN: PANTHERS FACE SHEFFIELD

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By Jono Bullard

Nottingham Panthers turn their attentions to the Challenge Cup as arch-rivals Sheffield Steelers visit the Motorpoint Arena for the first leg of the semi-final this evening (Wednesday 18th February - 19:30 face-off).

Steelers qualified for the semis by finishing top of Group A with 15 points from their 10 games, while Panthers secured their place by finishing third in Group A and then beating Glasgow Clan 4-1 in the Elimination Game in Scotland on 17th December.

This game will be the third time that the two teams have met in this season’s Challenge Cup. The first game in Nottingham finished 4-1 to the Steelers on 20th September and Panthers avenged that loss on 8th October by winning 4-2 at the Utilita Arena.

Sheffield come into the game in great form having won seven out of eight games in the league since two heavy defeats to league leaders Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland. Their only loss in the eight-game run being a 4-3 shootout defeat to Manchester Storm in Altrincham on 31st January.

Mitchell Balmas leads the Steelers in scoring with 12 points (3+9) in the 10 Challenge Cup games while recent signing Brett Ritchie will be making his first appearance in the competition.

Matt Marcinew leads the scoring for the Panthers in the Challenge Cup with 14 points (6+8) in 11 games. Mitch Fossier is close behind with 13 points (6+7) in 10 matches followed by Chase Pearson with 10 points (4+6) in six games.

Having played six times against each other so far this season, the series is currently split with three wins each and three of the six games have gone to overtime.

Expect a close intense first-leg battle to take into the second leg in Sheffield on 25th February.

Tickets and Webcast
Tonight's game is sponsored by GVL Recovery and there's just a handful of single seats left in the bowl so you're urged to secure your seats asap.

If you weren't lucky enough to get a ticket you can watch the game on our Panthers TV webcast which can be purchased here.