Tonight: Important cup battle between Panthers and Storm

Both teams looking to energise cup campaigns

The chase is on behind Sheffield for both Nottingham Panthers and Manchester Storm when they meet in the Challenge Cup at 1930 tonight.

As Group C stands, the Panthers are three points behind the Steelers with two games in hand. The Storm are a further point back with three in hand on Sheffield, and one on the Panthers.

Nottingham had an indifferent weekend just gone. The Panthers pulled off a fantastic road win in Cardiff with a 2-1 scoreline, but then surrendered a 3-1 lead to lose 5-3 to the Devils back home under 24 hours later. The problem for the Panthers to date has been that they average 3.27 goals against per game, while only scoring 2.47. Head Coach Tim Wallace took several positives from those Cardiff games however, and a midweek win could give his side another boost they need.

After several frustrating weekend, Manchester had an excellent weekend in Week 8. Ryan Finnerty's side were victorious against Sheffield in the cup on Friday night, before taking two points home from their weekend trip to Belfast. More pleasing for the Head Coach will also be the goals - his side scored 10 across the three games, despite being one of the EIHL's more goal-shy teams so far.