A fourth straight win, and with four games remaining, the Nottingham Panthers are continuing to push for the Elite League championship.

Already guaranteed a spot in the play-offs, the Panthers now find themselves in a three-way dance with rivals Sheffield Steelers, and the Belfast Giants, for top spot – just one point currently splitting the three sides.

On Saturday night the Panthers travelled to Scotland to face Glasgow Clan and, with another, inspired performance, from netminder Jason Grande, registering 36 saves throughout, returned to Nottingham with the points, and a 3-0 win.

Panthers captain, Sam Herr, was on-hand to open the evening’s scoring towards the end of the first period, his rebound score coming during a powerplay.

The score stayed that way until late in the third period, when the Panthers wrapped up the win with first Tim Doherty netting, after Matt Alfaro’s effort had been saved and he collected the puck behind the net and fed the scorer, before Mitch Fossier added the third shortly after when firing into an empty net.

Both sides had chances throughout in which to score, Quinn Wichers hitting the pipes for the Panthers, Didrik Henbrant also going close, whilst the hosts would see efforts from Cole Ully, Darien Kielb and Mitchell Heard coming to nothing.

Now, with only four games of the regular season to go for Danny Stewart’s side, all eyes turn to midweek, and the clash at the Nottingham Arena with the visiting Manchester Storm, followed by a trip to Guildford Flames on Saturday (29 March), before an almighty double-header to finish the season – fellow title hopefuls, Belfast Giants, a weekend double, on 5 (away) and 6 (home) April.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @PanthersIHC celebrations after another Nottingham win.