Fri 20 Feb 2026 - 12:30PM
WEEKEND LOWDOWN: STORM AND DEVILS
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By Jono Bullard
After a superb performance in the Challenge Cup against Sheffield Steelers on Wednesday, Nottingham Panthers return to Elite League action this weekend.
Saturday's trip to Altrincham to take on Manchester Storm (19:00) is quickly followed by a return to the Motorpoint Arena to face Cardiff Devils on Sunday (16:00).
Panthers are aiming for an eighth straight competitive victory at the Storm Shelter - a run that started on 6th April 2024.
But Storm are very strong in their own building this season having secured 29 of their 46 league points at home from 19 games, a percentage of 0.76.
Don’t be surprised if the game finishes in overtime or a shootout. Storm have gone into the extra period 16 times so far this season which is by far the most in the league and way ahead of Coventry Blaze and Glasgow Clan who have both played bonus hockey 11 times. Seven out of Storm's past eight games have all gone to the overtime period.
Forward Loren Ulett is Manchester’s form player having scored in each of his past five games, with Joseph Nardi close behind with four in five.
Nolan Volcan is the man in form for the Panthers scoring a point in his past four games (2+2), while Chase Pearson has a goal and two assists in his past two games and Mitch Fossier is 3+2 in five matches since returning from injury.
On Sunday, Nottingham return home to the Motorpoint Arena to take on Cardiff in another clash of title contenders after Panthers faced Belfast Giants last weekend, a team that the Devils face at home on tonight (Friday).
Cardiff have won both their previous visits to Nottingham this season, their last visit being on 12th October. But it was Panthers who won the last time they met, skating to an excellent 4-1 win at the Vindico Arena earlier this month with defenceman Cooper Zech scoring two goals.
The Welsh side have won three and lost two of their league games in February so far for a .600 record in the month.
Defenceman Brandon Estes is their current form player having scored at least a point in his past six games (2+8). Forward Josh MacDonald is also in good form with five points in his past four games (1+4).
With both Panthers and Devils having title ambitions, expect an intense battle at the Motorpoint Arena on Sunday.
Very limited tickets remain for Sunday at home to Cardiff
Sunday's action sees the Devils visit the Motorpoint Arena in a game sponsored by WAGO (16:00 face-off).
Very limited tickets remain so you are urged to secure your seats asap to avoid disappointment.