Wed 18 Feb 2026 - 06:00AM
PREVIEW: PANTHERS HOST STEELERS IN SEMI-FINAL
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It's another massive night in the season as Nottingham Panthers host Sheffield Steelers in the Challenge Cup semi-final first leg.
Tonight's game - which is sponsored by GVL Recovery - faces-off at 19:30 and there's just a handful of single seats left in the bowl so you're urged to secure your seats asap.
If you weren't lucky enough to get a ticket you can watch the game on our Panthers TV webcast which can be purchased here.
The two arch-rivals are battling it out over two legs with part two taking place in Sheffield on next Wednesday (25th February).
With the format for the semi-finals being two-legged and an aggregate score, there will be no overtime or shootout in tonight's first leg.
The winners of the two-legged tie will face Belfast Giants or Coventry Blaze in the Challenge Cup Final next month.
Belfast and Coventry meet in Northern Ireland this evening in their second leg after the Blaze won the first game 3-2 in the Skydome last week.
Sheffield automatically qualified for the semi-finals by winning Group A with 15 points in 10 matches which included seven victories.
Panthers finished third in the group and qualified by winning 4-1 on the road at Glasgow Clan in the Elimination Game in December.
David Noël, Matt Marcinew, Matt Spencer and an empty-net goal from Tim Spencer ensured a place in the semi-finals.
Nottingham-based singer EvieM will start proceedings off tonight by singing the National Anthem just ahead of face-off.
View from the Bench
Head Coach, Danny Stewart, said: "Sheffield are playing good hockey right now and they are scoring a lot of goals.
"We are going to have to repeat Sunday's performance. The grittiness and physicality was next level and that's what your need at this time of year.
"We know where Sheffield's dangers are and it will be a very tough game, but the boys will be ready for another huge night in our season."
First-Game Desk
The First-Game Desk is a new addition this season to our matchnights in association with Lake Energy and the Nottingham Hospitals Charity. If it’s your very first Panthers game, stop by the First-Game Desk to pick-up all the essentials you need. Based opposite the lifts in the Motorpoint Arena foyer, there's everything from matchnight info to key rules - plus a special poster you can wave proudly. You never know, you might even make it onto the jumbotron! You’ll also receive a First-Game Certificate to celebrate joining our incredible #PanthersNation.
Interseal Panthers Vault reset to £1,000
We had a winner in the Interseal Panthers Vault on Sunday as Dean and Carrie took home £2,500 as they chose Finlay Ulrick and his four-digit code unlocked the safe. The vault is now reset at £1,000. Tickets cost just £1 and if yours is drawn out of the hat, you go on the ice with DJ Ken Feast to try to win the money inside the vault in the second intermission. Choose one of the players from the Panthers roster shown on the jumbotron to reveal a four-digit code and see if it unlocks the vault. Dare you give up the chance to go for the money to open the Mystery Box?
Chuck-a-Puck
Chuck-a-Puck - sponsored by Motorpoint - is great fun for all the family. It takes place in the second intermission and the winner is the person who lands their puck closest to Paws at centre-ice. The winner gets a photo with their favourite player at the end of the game and a signed puck. There's a bonus prize too! A remote control car drives around the centre-circle. If your puck lands inside the cockpit of the car, you have a chance to win the bonus prize of two tickets to an event at the Motorpoint Arena. Pucks cost £1 each and are on sale from sellers around the rink.
SIX chances to win in our Shirt Off His Back
There are SIX chances to win a game-worn gold Challenge Cup jersey tonight. The shirts of #7 Zech, #12 Pearson, #18 Fossier, #21 Alfaro, #24 Spencer and #98 Henbrant are all up for grabs. Tickets cost only £1 each and are available from sellers in the foyer and around the concourse.
50/50 is your chance to win a big cash prize
Tickets for the 50/50 raffle are sold for £1 each. The lucky winner will go home with a fantastic prize. Make sure you buy your tickets to be in with a chance of winning. Lookout for the sellers around the rink.
GVL Jersey Giveaway
How about taking home a Nottingham Panthers replica jersey? Sam Hurst will be in the bowl in the first-period powerbreak, so make sure you make plenty of noise to have a chance of winning.
Dance Cam in association with Doughnotts
Here's your chance win free doughnuts by displaying your best funky dance moves in the jumbotron. Look out for the Dance Cam - in association with Nottingham-based Doughnotts - in the third-period powerbreak and show us your great moves!
Webcast: Watch the live stream tonight
If you're not with us at the Motorpoint Arena today, we've got you covered with the game being shown live on Panthers TV. Jono Bullard and Dan Green will bring you all the action. Click here to buy the webcast.