Rivals Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers meet for the first time this season on Wednesday night, with both sides looking to improve their positions in the Challenge Cup.
Sheffield only played league fixtures over the weekend but remain third in Group A, holding two games in hand on the teams above them. They are, however, three points off top spot and one point outside the top two, who qualify directly for the Semi-Finals. Despite that, the Steelers currently boast one of the best win percentages in the competition so far.
For Nottingham, this is very much a must-win game to keep their qualification hopes alive. The Panthers have only one Cup fixture remaining after tonight and sit a point outside the top three and two points adrift of the top two. Defeat in Sheffield would leave them relying winning their last game and having other results going their way to have any chance of progressing further in the competition.
In 27 Cup games played at the Utilita Arena between these teams, the Steelers are 11-4-2-10 against the Panthers, although the Panthers have outscored them 90 goals to 85.
Photo by Michael.Johnson@prohockeynews.comÂ
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