Fri 16 Oct 2026 - 7:00PM
WEEKEND LOWDOWN: TWO HUGE GAMES IN THE CUP
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By Jono Bullard
The Challenge Cup takes centre stage this weekend as second faces first in Group A on Saturday night with leaders Sheffield Steelers coming to a sold-out Motorpoint Arena (19:00 face-off), before Panthers travel to the Skydome in Coventry on Sunday to take on the Blaze (17:30).
The first game at the Motorpoint Arena of the famous Panthers v Steelers rivalry this season is already huge considering the positions both teams find themselves in regards to Challenge Cup qualification.
The visitors Sheffield are top of Challenge Cup Group A with 10 points from six games while Panthers lie in second with nine points from seven outings.It will be the 320th competitive meeting between the two rivals and 69th in the Challenge Cup.
Panthers and the Steelers faced each other in Sheffield on 16th September when the hosts took the game 3-2 in overtime, with Ryan Tait scoring the winner after goals from Tim Doherty and Joe Hazeldine had put Panthers 2-1 ahead in the second period.
The two teams have a storied Challenge Cup history. They have faced each other in the final six times, winning three times each. Steelers have won three one-game finals in the ISL era (1999, 2000 and 2003), with Panthers winning three two-leg finals in the EIHL era (2004, 2008 and 2013).
They have also faced each other five times in the semi-final with Panthers taking four wins to Steelers one. The most recent being last season when Bryan Lemos scored an overtime winner in Sheffield to take Panthers to the Challenge Cup Final.
On Sunday, the Skydome awaits and a second meeting of the season with Midlands rivals Coventry who currently sit sixth in Group A with four points from five games.
Panthers took the opening encounter at the Motorpoint Arena two weeks ago 4-3 in a close, exciting game.
Zach O’Brien scored the Panthers game winner on the powerplay, with the other goals coming from Darick Louis-Jean, Joe Hazeldine and Ben Corbeil. Blaze found the net through Artem Buzoverya, Brett Perlini and Griffin Ness.
The game will be the 190th competitive meeting between the two sides, a 90th game at the Skydome and 33rd in the Challenge Cup.
SeatSwap scheme launched for Steelers at home on Saturday
We launched our new SeatSwap scheme last week, a brand-new initiative giving season ticket holders the opportunity to receive something back when they are unable to attend selected home games and it's been activated for the game against the Steelers.
These tickets will become available on the separate section on the ticket sales page on the Motorpoint Arena website as they are returned to the club, so it's worth checking if there's any late availability. Saturday's game is sponsored by Temprell Jewellers Nottingham.
Arena well over three-quarters full for Cardiff on Sunday 25th October
Tickets are selling fast for our Challenge Cup game with Cardiff Devils next weekend which takes place on Sunday 25th October (16:00 face-off).
The Motorpoint Arena is already well over three-quarters full so you're advised to secure your seats asap. Two huge cup points will be up for grabs with both sides battling for a place in the knockout stages of the competition.