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Always more interesting when both teams have something genuinely at stake other than the artificial hype. 1 v 2 in the league, the return of a Grand Slammer, a netminding crisis in Nottingham and the first signs of the traditional Xmas Collapse Pantomime as they suffer a heavy defeat to .. "hey who wrote this script ?, no way do Guildford score 6 against them" .. oooops. What's that I smell ?, is it the faint aroma of Xmas Crumble drifting out of the NIC ?. Will they fall like Jake Paul ?

Have a good few days off everyone. Boxing Day is when it gets serious and stays that way until April.

I've almost got my wish for the extra seating. Although I understand these are padded, in the Gods and cost £40 to sit on

Still, it will be a new EIHL attendance record, which is fantastic to see.

Are Nottingham already worrying about playing us and forgot about playing Guildford at the weekend? Can't see Grande playing this one for them as Carr appears the better goalie so far this season.

Hopefully we'll see Watling feature, even if it's just on the 4th line.

Really looking forward to the this one and the games over Christmas. Pretty sure this will be a close one.

A split weekend wouldn't be the end of the world, but wouldn't want to lose both games.

3-2 Steelers O/T win.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Both games are 50/50 calls for me.

Before the last weekend I would have probably made Panthers slight favourites, but that loss to Guildford will have hurt them and perhaps shows how much they're missing Fossier.

I don’t think we're playing particularly great, but we seem to be grinding out wins and riding our luck a little at the moment.

Last year on Boxing Day the Panthers came in, dominated all the early factoffs, had the early possession and made it count with a couple of goals.

After that we were playing catch up and despite dominating most of the game, couldn't take advantage of that domination.

Let's not let them do the same again, it's difficult playing catch up against a team like Nottingham.

Dogs don't play on Boxing Day, so i wonder if we'll see any of their players step up. I would guess Kyle Watson or JP are the most likely

I suspect Watling will play in this one, the question is....where? I guess that might depend on how he looks in practice. No doubt he'll get a fantastic reception.

Regards

Doom

Watling I expect to slot in on the 4th line for these 2 games. Guessing Southorn probably becomes the scratch, although I really like what he brings on the second PP unit.

Need to try and take advantage of Panther's injury struggles. Fossier could be back, but not heard anything definitive. Not sure about their others.

If we can take 3 points from the 2 games, I'll be happy.

Two evenly matched teams,,,,, home advantage hopefully swaying result in our favour,,,, these double header games most of time finish as a game each. Hopefully we can sneak two wins which would put out a staement of intent. Also no excuses for this game not being a highly intense affair as it will be watched by biggest crowd of season,,, leave nothing on the ice attitude

Fossier confirmed on IR list. Panthers sign Johnny Curran as injury cover

Watling not in the line up for today

Kyle Watson is on game sheet and looks like he’s warming up in 44 shirt

Goal Panthers

0-1
David Noel
(Alfaro, Hilderman)
03:04

End P1

Steelers 0-1 Panthers