TABLE-TOPPERS Nottingham Panthers edged to a narrow 2-0 victory over Sheffield Steelers at a sell-out NIC -- but their title chase will go to another weekend after championship rivals Belfast Giants won 6-2 away to Braehead.
With five games remaining, Panthers remain four points clear of Giants after David Clarke's second period power-play goal and a last-minute empty-netter from Guy Lepine saw them claim the points on a nervy night when goaltender Craig Kowalski was the star of the show with a 29-shot shut-out
Panthers face Hull on Humberside on Sunday, while their main rivals are in Edinburgh aiming to keep up the pressure before the top two sides meet in Belfast twice next weekend.
If Corey Neilson's side beat Hull, one win from either of the Belfast games will see them claim a first league title since reforming in 1980.
With five games remaining, Panthers remain four points clear of Giants after David Clarke's second period power-play goal and a last-minute empty-netter from Guy Lepine saw them claim the points on a nervy night when goaltender Craig Kowalski was the star of the show with a 29-shot shut-out
Panthers face Hull on Humberside on Sunday, while their main rivals are in Edinburgh aiming to keep up the pressure before the top two sides meet in Belfast twice next weekend.
If Corey Neilson's side beat Hull, one win from either of the Belfast games will see them claim a first league title since reforming in 1980.