Fri 30 Oct 2026 - 08:00AM
WEEKEND LOWDOWN: GIANTS HOME AND STEELERS AWAY
🎟 CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR PANTHERS HOME GAMES 🎟
By Jono Bullard
Nottingham Panthers return to Motorpoint Elite League action this weekend with two huge games.
League champions from the past two seasons Belfast Giants visit the Motorpoint Arena on Friday night (19:30), before the trip north to Sheffield on Saturday to take-on the Steelers at the Utilita Arena (19:00).
The Panthers have played just two league games so far this season, but have the only 100% record of all 10 teams. The Giants come to Nottingham with eight points from five games, including an excellent 4-1 win over Cardiff Devils in Cardiff on Wednesday night.
The Giants top line of JJ Piccinich (22 points) Scott Conway (16 points) and David Goodwin (17 points) have been in excellent form all season.
Behind them, defenceman Mike Lee has 14 points while netminder Jake Kupsky has a GAA of 1.38 and a save percentage of 0.943 in 10 games along with four shutouts.
Panthers will be welcoming back Tim Doherty to the line-up after a one-game suspension and hope to have captain Matt Alfaro back in the team after injury, but that will be a gameday decision by the medical and coaching staff.
Friday night’s game will be the 203rd competitive meeting between the Giants and the Panthers - and 148th EIHL regular=season clash.
On Saturday, Panthers face Sheffield Steelers for the third time this season in all competitions.
The previous two clashes in Challenge Cup Group A saw Steelers win their home game 3-2 in overtime while in Nottingham, Panthers secured a 3-2 regulation-time win.
Steelers come into the game having played six Motorpoint Elite League games, securing eights points with three wins, a defeat and two overtime losses.
They've also qualified for the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and beat Manchester Storm 5-2 in that competition on Wednesday night.
Series top scorers after those two games are Logan Roe (1+2), Mitchell Balmas (2+0), Sean Collins (1+1) and Olivier Archambault for the Steelers. For Panthers. Tim Doherty (2+1), Max Grondin (0+2) and Chase Pearson (0+2) lead the points-scorers.
Overall, Olivier Archambault leads scoring for the Steelers with 20 points (4+16) in 16 games. Following him, Mitchell Balmas has 15 points (9+6) in 13 games while Evan Jasper has 13 points (4+9) after 16 games.
Saturday night’s game will be the 321st competitive meeting between Steelers and Panthers - and the 151st Elite League regular-season clash.
Limited tickets for Friday against Belfast
There's been high demand for tickets all week for Friday's game with Belfast, so another large crowd will be on Lower Parliament Street.
With two huge Motorpoint Elite League points on the line it's a huge game. Make sure you don't miss-out by securing your tickets now.
The game is sponsored by Karen Burgin Ltd.