Big Match Preview - Panthers Double Header

"It's the most wonderful time of the year." It's the Christmas games against the Nottingham Bears, sorry Panthers, on Boxing Day at the Arena (remember it's a 4pm face off folks) and the following day back down to the fabulous NIC for round two.

We've had a good record against them this season but this means nothing especially in the Christmas matches where absolutely anything could happen. In recent years, we have had goal fests, plenty of incident and also some humblings of our own caused by those nearest and dearest. A right mixture, akin to fireworks. Nobody can script these games; the form guide can be easily ripped up and forgotten about completely.

At the Arena, we've definitely had their number - winning all three games and scoring 21 goals in the process past an exposed, on all three occasions, Jindrich "Henry" Pacl. I don't expect him to start on Boxing Day, if he does I'll be surprised but you never know with Neilson, as I think Wiikman will get the start then and also back in the NIC. No disrespect meant to Pacl, but Wiikman is the better goalie of the two but then again Pacl is also better than Dan Green; against no disrespect intended this time to Dan.

Wiikman needs on both games, a strong defence in front of him and that's something that Pacl has never had in the games he's featured against us in. Otherwise if they play like they have done so far, then Miika could be in for a busy couple of nights and will have to stand on his head to give the outskaters a chance to win the games for the Panthers. We have the depth that Panthers seem to be lacking at the moment, and only three recognised defencemen in Spang, Lee and Sertich icing and with Lindhagen dropping back to make four - this could be our chance to really turn the screw. We still need to be cautious with the forwards despite they only should have three lines of this. Smart hockey is needed.

Can we complete the Xmas double? Of course, why not. I do think it's genuinely possible but it will be closer than other games even taking the short bench Panthers will probably have. They always seem to find that extra something especially in these festive games, I ain't expecting anything different actually. I'm going for the following prediction: 5-2 to us Boxing Day, win 4-3 (not fussed how) in the NIC on the 27th. How do you see it? Let us know. 


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