Fri 25 Sep 2026 - 07:30AM
WEEKEND LOWDOWN: DEVILS AWAY AND STORM AT HOME
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By Jono Bullard
The opening Motorpoint Elite League game of the season awaits Nottingham Panthers on Saturday when they take on Manchester Storm at the Motorpoint Arena (19:00 face-off).
First though, Panthers travel to Cardiff to face the Devils in Challenge Cup Group A on Friday night (19:00 face-off).
The spoils were shared when Panthers and Devils met in pre-season with both teams picking up home victories.
Since then, Devils have played four games, all in the Challenge Cup, winning two and losing two leaving them with four points and sitting fourth in the Group A table.
Defenceman Gleason Fournier leads the Devils in scoring with a goal and three assists for four points. Josh MacDonlad with three goals and new Finnish player Panu Meiho with three assists follow behind.
This game will be the 261st competitive meeting between the two sides and 35th in the Challenge Cup, where Panthers have won 17, Devils 14 and there have been three draws.
In 17 Challenge Cup games in Cardiff, Panthers have won seven and lost eight with two draws.
On Saturday night, Panthers will return to the Motorpoint Arena to face Manchester Storm for the second time at home this season.
It will be the 134th competitive meeting between the two teams, the 54th Motorpoint EIHL regular-season clash and the 27th in Nottingham. Panthers have won 30 games and Storm 23 of the 53 games played.
Manchester got their league season started on Wednesday night at the AO Arena, skating to a 2-1 victory over Glasgow Clan with Brandon Cutler and Joseph Nardi scoring the goals.
In their four matches so far this season in league and Challenge Cup, Storm have two wins, a shootout loss and a regulation loss.
Brandon Cutler leads them in scoring with six points (3+3), Tim McGauley has five points (1+4) and Kyle Maksimovich has four points (3+1).
Panthers overcame Storm 4-3 after a penalty shootout in the Challenge Cup two weeks ago, with Tim Doherty getting the game-winning penalty shot.
Doherty leads Panthers scoring so far with four points (2+2). Ben Corbeil is second in scoring with three points (2+1).
If you are not making the trip to Cardiff, you can watch the game on Devils TV.
Saturday's game at home to Manchester has limited tickets remaining and you are urged to secure your seats asap.