A place in the 2026 Challenge Cup Final is on the line when Sheffield Steelers host Nottingham Panthers on Wednesday night in the second leg of their Challenge Cup semifinal.
The Panthers head into the game with a three-goal aggregate lead after their 3-0 shutout win over the Steelers a week ago. Sheffield will need to win by three goals on the night to force overtime, while anything less will see the Panthers advance to the Challenge Cup Final.
If the Steelers win by four or more goals in regulation, they will progress to the final as the number one seed and earn the right to host.
Sheffield have beaten the Panthers twice at home in league action this season, although both victories were secured with overtime game-winners. In the Cup, the Panthers claimed a 4-2 win in their previous meeting.
Should the Steelers win by exactly three goals, the tie will move to overtime. In the Challenge Cup semifinals, overtime is played 3-on-3 for 10 minutes under sudden-death rules. If no winner is found, a standard EIHL shootout will decide which team progresses to the final.
Photo: Panthers Images
The EIHL Situation Room is in operation for tonight’s game.
