Panthers in Europe

It was just under a week ago when the biggest and best rivalry in the Elite League took place when the Sheffield Steelers and the Nottingham Panthers played in a double header with Steelers taking the points on the Saturday at the Motorpoint Arena after a 5-3 victory before Panthers took their revenge the following day in Nottingham 6-1 in the NIC, both games were without incident and left so many talking points, However this weekend rivalries are put a side as Nottingham go to Italy to represent the UK in the 3rd round of the Continental Cup after successfully making it through round 2 in Nottingham back in October.

Panthers leave for Italy (Image Courtesy of Nottingham Panthers

As I understand Nottingham left for Italy this morning with a full roster including previously injured Craig Kowalski and Eric Werner who will be assessed before the game the only player I know hasn't travelled is Bob Wren who broke his leg.

Nottingham begin their Italy weekend on Friday when they take on Russian side Toros Neftekamsk at 4pm UK time, I think this is one of three games that Nottingham has the best chance of picking points up and to do well in the Continental Cup as Steelers found out the hard way a few years is that it really helps to start with a win. For Nottingham to do especially well on this trip it would help if first choice netminder Craig Kowalski is fit enough to play as he gives his team the opportunity to win every time he's on his game. I'll go for a Nottingham Panthers victory on Friday to kick them off in style.

Saturday see the Panthers hit the Ice in their second game of the tournament against Yertis Pavlodar who play in the top flight of the Kazakhstan Hockey Championship. This game gets going at 4pm UK time and I think its a game where Nottingham will have their first real test and will be a one goal game decided in regulation if not without the help of overtime and penalty shots. If Nottingham are to get past Yertis they need to hope Kowalski or Conway is on form and the likes of Francis, Clarke, Lachowicz, Benedict and Lee also need to be on their best form, Yertis is a winnable game for Panthers but are both respectively good teams but my prediction is for Pavlodar to edge it in Overtime.

Nottingham finish their Italian trip against the hosts HC Asiago at 7.30pm UK time, If Nottingham are to advance this is a must win game as I expect Asiago to have won both of their previous games and top the standings on 4 points, it will be a big team effort but I honestly think Corey Neilson has the squad capable of doing well this weekend but has to to control Henley after his outburst last weekend and use him smartly to bully the likes of Asiago's top liners. Asiago are a much improved squad from the team that beat the Steelers after Penalty shots back in 2011/2012.

I'd like to wish the Nottingham Panthers the best of luck for this weekend and hope they do British Ice Hockey proud.

Thanks for reading guys. Any questions or comments get in contact via Twitter or Email me at Tomwalkeden@gmail.com

Tom

@TomWalkeden