Panthers three games from trophy and place in the CHL

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers could win the first trophy up for grabs this season when they head to Denmark for the IIHF Continental Cup Final round this weekend. There is however a much bigger prize on offer to the winners than just the plate itself - a place in next season’s Champions Hockey League.

Back in pre-season, Tim Wallace told us that as coach of the Nottingham Panthers, "you enter every competition you’re in to win it". Four months down the line those aims are still achievable. “It’s a good point, we’re still in all four at this stage of the season!” began the Panthers’ Head Coach ahead of his side's European showdown. “This one is really important for a lot of reasons. First, it’s a trophy we can win and I think if we can pull it off it will give our whole team a lot of confidence going forward - it’s a great feeling to win a trophy as a team. Secondly, we’ve got this far and when you get to a final you want to win it; and third, the winners get a place in the CHL which would be a huge accomplishment not only for the Panthers but also for the Elite League to be represented by two teams again next season.”

Wallace is no stranger to the Continental Cup. This season he coached the Panthers through the Semi-Final stage but also went all the way to the final as a player with Sheffield in 2017/18. “It was good hockey in that final, against very strong teams. When you get to this last round it's just three games so you pretty much have to win them all if you want to win the tournament," he said. "In Minsk it was intense, the Belarusian team had brought a few KHL guys into their roster and ended up winning, but really it was a fun tournament to be a part of. The games are fast but it’s about us showing that the Elite League can compete and is a good league.”

The Panthers will face familiar foes, and hosts, SønderjyskE (Denmark) in the final round, and also meet Polish side Comarch Cracovia and Belarussian team Neman Grodno. All four teams in the final round have Champions Hockey League experience from previous seasons. “I’m watching as much as I can to learn about the teams and their tendencies. I didn’t know a whole lot about the Polish or Belarussian leagues but I’m starting to know a lot more and who the players are on each team," Wallace revealed. "Each league has a different style and that makes it a unique tournament. Denmark is a good league, so too Poland, and from what I’ve learned about Grodno they play in a league with a lot of very skilled players who play at a fast pace and like to make pretty plays."

Finally, the Panthers have had excellent support in their European adventures in both the Continental Cup and CHL in previous seasons, and Wallace is counting on them again to be an extra man for his team. “They’ll be there, and it really is huge for us to have them cheering for us. When we won the last round and could hear the fans singing along to the national anthem it was very special. Hopefully, we’re able to get that feeling again."

He concluded: "It is really a very special feeling to win a trophy. Winning one as a player one of best feelings in sports; I don’t know what it feels like to to do it on this side of the bench but I’m sure it will come pretty close!"