Tonight: Panthers and Storm look to move up table

Photo: Mark Ferris

Nottingham and Manchester clash midweek with both sides having ambitions to climb higher up the table on a night when no other team is playing.

The Panthers’ excellent road win in Glasgow on Friday was somewhat overshadowed by a home derby defeat to Sheffield. Nonetheless, Nottingham will go fifth if they pick up at least a point tonight, although they have played more games than Guildford who they’re chasing. The Panthers give up the third-lowest number of goals in the league (2.84), but their average goals for of 2.79 is superior only to Manchester’s. New forward Ryan Horvat is expected to play. Ryan 

Finnerty’s Storm side travel to Nottingham hoping to break into the playoff places. Manchester are only a point behind Coventry with a game in hand and are on a run of just one defeat in their last six games in all competitions. It’s a big week for the Storm, who played three games between now and Saturday.

“48 hours ago I was still in Canada but it’s going to be great to jump straight in. There’s no time to think about it!” – Ryan Horvat (Forward, Nottingham Panthers) 

“We’ve had close games against Nottingham each time we’ve played them. They’re a very well-coached team and have been putting some good results together as well.” – Mario Puskarich (Forward, Manchester Storm)