Fri 13 Feb 2026 - 4:00PM
WEEKEND LOWDOWN: BELFAST AT HOME TWICE
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By Jono Bullard
As weekends go it really doesn’t come any bigger than this as Nottingham Panthers and Belfast Giants face each other in a double-header at the Motorpoint Arena.
The first game takes place on Saturday night (19:00) with game number two on Sunday afternoon (16:00).
With Giants leading the Elite League and six points clear of Panthers the task is clear for Danny Stewart’s side, close the gap at the top.
However, Belfast have been in imperious form in the league, taking 35 points from the last 40 available in their past 20 league games and losing just once in regulation during that run, 4-3 to Coventry Blaze at the Skydome on 4th January.
It was the Blaze who inflicted a defeat on Giants once again this past Wednesday night in the Challenge Cup semi-final first leg at the Skydome, coming away 3-2 winners.
The Giants did find themselves 4-0 down to Coventry in a league match last Sunday, but showed their battling spirit by coming back to win 5-4 in overtime.
Belfast come into the weekend with the best powerplay in the league at 30.59%, having been successful with 29 of their 85 chances with the extra player.
Defenceman Mike Lee leads the Giants in points with 39 in 36 games (9+30) and leads the league in assists with 30, one ahead of Panthers Tim Doherty who has 29.
Jordan Kawaguchi is Belfast’s leading goalscorer with 17 and is the highest point-scoring forward with 35 in total (17+18).
Panthers have been in indifferent form since winning the IIHF Continental Cup on 17th January, taking seven points out of the 14 available.
A major boost has been the return of forward Mitch Fossier to the line-up after two months out with injury.
The American was back with a bang, scoring the game-winning penalty-shot against Glasgow Clan and then assisting Brendan Harris' goal in the shootout loss to Coventry last Saturday.
The stakes are huge for both sides as we approach the weekend. Panthers need the points to put pressure on Giants while Belfast need the points to remain comfortably ahead at the top of the Elite League. It promises to be an intriguing couple of games.
This weekend: Sell-outs for Panthers against Giants
Panthers have two huge matches this weekend against league leaders Belfast Giants and both will sell-out.
Saturday's game is down to single seats only and Sunday has very limited availability, so you are urged to secure your seats asap.