Greg Hadden retires after seven years with the club during which time he has broken the Superleague's goal scoring record for both league play and in all competitions. To mark Greg Hadden's retirement, he was also inducted to the National Ice Centre Hall of Fame.

Coach Paul Adey is still the club's all time leading points scorer and the retirement of his playing number comes after his first solo year in charge of coaching which has seen the team take part in the title race up to the final two games, compete in the cup final and make the play-off semi-finals.

TOP POINTS SCORER - LEE JINMAN (12+24= 36pts)
LEADING GOALSCORERS - GREG HADDEN / LEE JINMAN (12 goals)
SUPPORTERS CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR - LEE JINMAN
MOST ENTERTAINING PLAYER - JASON CLARKE
GMB PLAYER OF THE YEAR - BRIANE THOMPSON
PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR - ERIC CHARRON
MOST CONSISTENT PLAYER - ERIC CHARRON
TEAM SPIRIT AWARD - MARC HUSSEY
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - LEE JINMAN

Leading the way for the Panthers were Scott Allison (who had his best game in a Panthers shirt) and Lee Jinman who both recored five points.

Captain John Purves (powerplay) opened the scoring for the Panthers at 15:29, Brad Peddle levelled for the Bees early in the second period to give them hope but it was short lived as the Panthers scored six unanswered goals in the second period. Allison (PP) at 24:15 started the scoring followed by Cadotte (27:48), Morgan (28:14), Elders (PP) at 32:45 made it 5-1 before Paul Moran scored his first senior goal for the Panthers at 33:07 to signal the end of Bees netminder Brian Greer, who was replaced by Joe Watkins.

Mark Cadotte scored his second of the night with two seconds left in the period to make it 7-1 at the second interval. The Panthers didn't ease up in the third as Lee Jinman scored 13 seconds into the period to make it 8-1, Scott Allison (42:22) made it 9 and Jason Elders completed the Panthers scoring at 43:57.

Dino Bauba (52:33) and Brad Peddle (56:14) scored to make the final score 10-3. The result ensured arch-rivals Sheffield Steelers qualified for next weeks playoff semi-finals where they will meet Belfast Giants (face-off 2:30pm), while the Panthers will meet the London Knights (face-off 6:30pm).

Attendance: 3629
Shots on Goal: Panthers 47 Bracknell Bees 27
Penalty in Minutes: Panthers 4 Bracknell Bees 14
Referee: Andy Carson

A solitary goal from Jason Clarke and 29 saves from Mika Pietila was all it took for the Panthers to record their ninth playoff win. Despite only having 13 shots on goal, the Panthers could have added to the scoreline as Elders, Cadotte, Purves and Jinman all went close.

The Game winner came at 46:33 and was worth the wait, Lee Jinman won the face-off drawing the puck back to Clarke, who one timed it past Joel Laing.

Mika Pietila was named man of the match for the Panthers while Brent Bobyck collected the Steelers award.

Attendance: 4957
Shots on Goal: Sheffield Steelers 29 Panthers 13
Penalty in Minutes: Sheffield Steelers 4 Panthers 8
Referee: Nigel Boniface

Despite having most of the possession it took the Panthers seven minutes to open the scoring with Lee Jinman converting from Cadotte and new line-mate Scott Allison. The Panthers had to kill off a couple of penalties following calls against Paek (interference) and Allison (roughing) but they did continue to create chances but failed to convert. The first period also saw referee Kirkham struggle with an arm injury after being hit by the puck, he did manage to complete the period.

kirkham didn't return in the second period leaving linesmen Norcott and Hicks to officiate the game. The Panthers increased their lead in controversial fashion with Bracknell claiming Marc Hussey's shot had not crossed the line, but the goal stood. Bracknell did pull a goal back at 39:06 Brad Peddle the scorer, the goal came seconds after Bracknell had what looked like a perfectly good goal ruled out.

A powerplay goal from Greg Hadden at 41:36 gave the Panthers a 3-1 lead and it looked like the Panthers would go on to win with ease but the Panthers were caught on a breakaway after Purves missed a golden chance at one end, Ceman carried the puck forward before feeding Ciccarello at the far post to score at 47:15. A goal from Cadotte made it 4-2 but the Panthers had a nervous last 82 seconds after Dan Ceman skated in to score. The Panthers defence held firm for the win and qualification to the playoff weekend for the first time at the NIC, Nottingham.

Attendance: 1205
Man-of-the-Match for Bracknell Bees: Chad Nelson
Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: Lee Jinman

The Panthers started the game well and it didn't take long for Jason Clarke and Paul Kruse to drop the gloves with Clarke coming out slightly on top but it would have been a very different story if Clarke had landed an uppercut which missed Kruse by inches.

Purves opened the scoring for the Panthers at 5:11 assisted by Allison and Paek but the Giants were back in the game when Ryan Kuwabara converted on the powerplay following a dubious holding call against Charron. The Giants took the lead at 16:18 when ex-Panther Curtis Bowen scored at even strength.

The Giants opened up a 5-1 lead with three straight powerplay goals, the first came from Kuwabara at 28:21, Curtis Bowen scored his night of the night at 30:58 with a soft shot that went through Pietila's legs. The goal saw the end of Pietila in goal replaced by Petter Sandstrom. Giants 5th came from Rod Stevens at 35:18, the Panthers pulled one back when Kristian Taubert found space and time to score at 36:08 following a great pass by Jason Elders.

Both teams had 13 shots in third period and despite creating chances the Panthers could find no way past Ryan Bach. Unfortunately the Giants scored two more to make it 7-2, Paxton Schulte (50:46) and Robby Sandrock (53:00) with a beauty of a shot, completed the scoring.

Attendance: 4506
Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: Eric Charron
Man-of-the-Match for Belfast Giants: Robby Sandrock

The meeting was businesslike and positive with parameters for the future operation of the league being agreed.

The first meeting of the Elite Ice Hockey League membership will take place in early April, when it is expected that corporate, sporting and support structures will be endorsed and implemented after which the identity of the members will be disclosed.

Charron joined the Panthers during the summer from Manheim Eagles of the DEL in Germany. Charron has been impressive at the back all season for the Panthers and is regarded by some as the best defenceman in the league. Charron has played 50 times for the Panthers scoring 13 points (3+10).

London opended the scoring at 4:24 as Maurizio Mansi passed to Jeff Hoad on the right and his cross to an unmarked Ian McIntyre was one timed past Pietila. The Panthers had numerous chances on the powerplay following calls against Burke (interfernce at 4:55), Mansi (holding at 6:24), Rushforth (elbowing at 9:41) and Kolesar (cross-checking at 11:54) but failed to take the chances and were punished on a delay call against Hadden, London broke clear and ex-Panther Jeff Hoad scored a short-handed goal at 13:04.

Panthers looked more lively in the second with Elders having a sole efort well saved before the Panthers got themselves into the game with Cadotte scoring after a great move by Jinman and Purves at 26:00. London replied immediately with McIntyre scoring on another delayed call, this time against Jimmy Paek at 26:40. Panthers were caught with too many men at 31:48 but a fabulous goal from John Purves pulled the Panthers within one. Purves picked the puck up in his own zone beat two players before he deked Lilljebjorn to score into an empty-net at 32:51. An error by netminder Pietila lead to Knights fourth goal, Pietila gave the puck away behind the net allowing Patterson to fed Sacratini to score into the empty-net at 35:40. The Panthers refused to give up and pulled another back with Greg Hadden scoring at 36:47 following up a shot from Elders.

Both teams had chances at the start of the third but both netminders stood firm, both teams also had chances on the powerplay but both defences were holding firm before another error by the Panthers sealed the game for London. Pietila thought he had killed the puck but Kolesar managed to force the puck free and score, much to the anger of Pietila who went to complain to referee Carson. The Panthers were now looking tired and London added a sixth when another ex-Panther Greg Burke skating in to beat Pietila. There was no way back for the Panthers at this late stage.

Attendance: 2544
Man-of-the-Match for London Knights: Ian McIntyre
Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: John Purves

The Panthers made a dream start with John Purves scoring after just 25 seconds following a pass from Eric Charron. The first penalties of the night went against Cadotte and Norris for Roughing. The lead was increased at 5:59 when Jinman pulled Laing wide before setting up Jason Clarke to score into an empty net.

Nieckar and Darling were the next to the box after a little set to, both receiving 2+2 for roughing. At 8:14 it was 3-0 and the end of Joel Laing's night in goal as he was beaten by Jinman, who tipped home a Briane Thompson shot. Purves dropped the gloves with Willman with both receiving a rather strange call of 2+2 for Roughing for a fight at 8:45.

It didn't take long for Trevor Prior to be called into action and at 10:30 he was picking the puck out of the net as Greg Hadden made it 4-0. Hadden also scored to make it 5-0 with his second of the night following good work by Nieckar and Elders at 16:38 and the Panthers went into the break with an unbelievable lead.

Panthers started the second period without Briane Thompson who picked up an injury during the first and it didn't take the Steelers long to take advantage as Kent Simpson scored at 21:35. The Panthers made it 6-1 at 22:52 with Cadotte scoring from Jinman and Clarke before Scott Levins pulled another back for the Steelers on the powerplay following a dubious 2+10 cross checking from behind call against Scott Allison.

The third period began like the first with the Panthers scoring after just 23 seconds with Cadotte scoring his second of the night following a great fed from Jinman. Steelers Jason Sessa picked up a 10 minute misconduct at 41:48 before Timo Willman dropped the gloves for the second time during the game, finally deciding to have ago with Jason Clarke, Clarke landing some great punches before Willman hit Clarke with his elbow pad, both received 5+Game penalties.

Steelers had another chance on the powerplay but failed to score before James Morgan went toe to toe with Brebant with Morgan making him look stupid early on before Brebant finished stronger - both received 5 minute fighting penalties. The Panthers completed the scoring at 57:44 as Hussey balsted home from Wood and Allison.

The game still had plenty of action even at this late stage as Cadotte stood upto Darling, landing a number of good punches before being wrestled to the ground. Kristian Taubert wasn't happy and earned a 10 minute misconduct for trying to step in. Scott Allison was next to go, dropping the gloves and going after Jason Sessa, Sessa turtled and Allison received a Match penalty for fighting at 58:24. Sessa turtled again at 58:44 with Dody Wood also receiving a Match penalty for fighting. The fighting calls left the Panthers with a 3 on 5 disadvantage for the rest of the game but nothing was going to spoil the night for the Panthers.

Attendance: 5523
Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: Lee Jinman
Man-of-the-Match for Sheffield Steelers: Kent Simpson

The delayed start didn't affect the Panthers as they opened the scoring after just 16 seconds as Scott Allison scored his second of the weekend after John Purves initial shot was saved. It was 2-0 at 5:45 as John Purves scored following great work from Mark Cadotte. Cadotte turned scorer at 11:09 when he scored following an inch perfect pass from Lee Jinman, the score should have been more as Greg Hadden and Jason Elders went close before the end of the period.

The second period began with the end of the first and saw Joe Watkins replace Brian Greer in the Bees net and it didn't take long for him to be tested by Nieckar and Purves. The first penalty of the game went against the Panthers (Clarke for interference) and the Bees took advantage as Corey Spring scored, the Panthers restored their 3 goal advantage on the breakaway as Nieckar made no mistake at 24:46. Bracknell pulled another back on the powerplay as Chad Nelson fired home, the goal came after Purves had missed a great short-handed chance following a great pass from Elders. The Bees made it a one goal game when Jonathan Delisle hammered a shot past Pietila.

After falling asleep in the second the Panthers started the thrid with lots of pressure with Hadden, Elders and Wetzel all going close. Peddle hauled Hadden to the ice giving the Panthers a chance onthe powerplay and they took just 23 seconds to score with Elders turning the puck home at the back post following clever work from Jinman. The Panthers made the game save at 54:44 as Todd Wetzel scored at the second attempt.

Attendance: 3527
Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: Kristian TAUBERT
Man-of-the-Match for Bracknell Bees: Jonathan DELISLE

The first period was pretty even with the Panthers out-shooting Sheffield 8 to 7, Both teams had chances on the powerplay but both defence's were playing well and limiting the chances on goal. As the first period wound down, the fireworks started with Dody Wood and Dion Darling dropping the gloves both receiving five minute majors, Barry Nieckar and Jason Sessa both picked up minor roughing penalties, all timed at 19:53.

The second period saw Joel Laing produce two great saves to deny Jason Elders before Jeff Brown went to the box for Hooking and 31 seconds later Timo Willman was thrown out on a 5 plus game penalty for elbowing John Purves. The Panthers opened the scoring thanks to Jason Elders effort at the back post, the goal came 6 seconds after Brown returned to the ice but with the Panthers still on the powerplay thanks to Willman's major penalty it took them just 32 seconds to increase the lead with Ex-Steeler Scott Allison tipping home Jimmy Paek's shot. The Panthers failed to take any further advantage of the penalty as Greg Hadden was called for roughing bring the powerplay to an end.

The third period was again pretty even with both sides only managing 5 shots each. The Panthers should really have scored more as both Barry Nieckar and Jinman missed clear cut chances, Nieckar fired high and wide with Jinman missing two one on one chances. Sheffield also had chances but their was no way past Pietila.

Attendance: 5118
Man-of-the-Match for Sheffield Steelers: Kent SIMPSON
Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: Mika PIETILA

Sorochan didn't return for second so the Giants were forced to play the period with four defencemen but that did not hinder them as goals finally arrived in favour of the Giants. Colin Ward finally found a way past Pietila from an assist from Paxton Schulte on 36.13 before Kory Karlander made it 2-0 on the powerplay a minute later with Dody Wood in the box for Crosschecking. Ryan Bach then pulled off a great double save from Barry Niecker to keep his shut out hopes alive as the period ended 2-0 to the Giants.

The game as expected erupted in the third as the gloves were dropped but not before Jason Elders brought the Panthers back into the game on 50.31. The Panthers then tryed everything in search of an equaliser but not find another way past the impressive Ryan Bach. In the final minute Paul Adey lifted Pietila and as he called a time out Clarke and Kruse squared up with referee Boniface tellingboth to go to the locker room, Kruse didn't disappear and dropped the gloves with Dody Wood. But after clam was restored Matsos put the game beyond doubt with an open net goal with ten second to go.

Tempers flaired again at the hand shake as Jimmy Paek reacted to something Schulte said, Paek received a ten minute misconduct with Schulte receving a Game Misconduct.

Attendance: 3798
Man-of-the-Match for Belfast Giants: Shane JOHNSON
Man-of-the-Match for Nottingham Panthers: Lee JINMAN

With the Steelers playing this way, it was no surprise that the Panthers out-shot the Steelers 9 to 5 in the first. Sheffield hit a post early on, when an attempted pass deflected off Marc Hussey. Panthers had a powerplay chance at 06:57 but could find no way through, but they were also solid when the Steelers had a powerplay chance.

Jason Clarke picked up a minor interference penalty late in the first but seconds after coming out the box he was on a two on one brakeaway to opening the scoring, Scott Allison made a key interception and fed Todd Wetzel who made the pass to Clarke to wrist high over Laing.

Panthers went on the powerplay following a call on Willman (Roughing) but Laing stood firm as he produced great saves to deny Purves and Wood. Another powerplay chance for the Panthers saw Thompson, Charron and Clarke all have chances stopped by Laing.

The Panthers continued to press and had the puck in the net again but the goal was ruled after Nieckar had kicked it in. Purves and Nieckar also went close but the best of chances fell to Thompson but he was denied twice by last ditch stopes as the Panthers could not find the second to make the game save. Steelers pulled Laing with just over a minute left but the Panthers held firm.

John Purves was named man of the match for the Panthers with Kent Simpson amazingly named man of the match for the Steelers despite the excellent performance by Laing (32 saves).

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