If the first week of March proves is indicative of future events, there will be plenty of twists and turns in the Elite League in the month ahead.
The Belfast Giants faltered in the title race – edged out in one-goal games by the Manchester Storm and Glasgow Clan – but so did their nearest rivals.
Yorkshire provided the backdrop for the weekend’s wackiest outcome, with the Coventry Blaze humbling the Sheffield Steelers in their own barn on Saturday [3 March].
Coventry scored six without reply to stun Aaron Fox’s side, who bounced back a day later with a smothering 10-4 win over the Dundee Stars.
The Nottingham Panthers were perfect (as were Manchester, Glasgow, and Coventry) – and pulled within five points of the summit as a result.
We’re into the final straight. Stay alert.
With that in mind, here is our Elite League Team of the Week for Round 26.
Elite League Team of the Week – Sunday, 2 March
Goaltender – Landon Bow, Glasgow Clan
Landon Bow narrowly takes the net over Manchester Storm shot-stopper David Tendeck this week, with the Canadian crucial to the Glasgow Clan’s four-point weekend (and month-long climb into the middle pack).
Bow started the round with a 29-save performance in a 4-1 win over the Cardiff Devils, before underscoring his standout play with 49 saves on 51 shots in a 3-2 victory against the league-leading Giants.
Glasgow Clan v Cardiff Devils at Braehead Arena, Renfrew on 28 February 2025.
The 29-year-old stood on his head in Belfast, recording 1.22 saves above expected and turning aside each of the Giants’ three high-danger scoring chances.
Tendeck was similarly impressive versus Belfast, backstopping Manchester to a 4-3 win over Adam Keefe’s side with 50 saves on 53 shots. However, the Guildford Flames had his number a day later, scoring four times on 38 shots.
Defenceman – Joe Hazeldine, Glasgow Clan
Joe Hazeldine is slowly but surely playing his way into national team contention, with 11 points (one goal, ten assists) on the season.
The Clan defenceman continued his fine work from the blueline in Round 25, recording a pair of secondary assists as Glasgow topped Cardiff on Friday [28 February].
It’s evident that Corey Neilson believes in Hazeldine – the 23-year-old has since his ice time climb steadily since the start of the season and looks increasingly comfortable on the second pair beside Chris McKay.
Defenceman – Matt Spencer, Nottingham Panthers
Despite their Challenge Cup elimination, the Panthers should be very pleased with how Round 25 panned out.
Danny Stewart & Co. pulled onto the 59-point mark with wins over the Stars and Fife Flyers – and are now just one point behind Sheffield and five back from the league leaders.
Even if the Panthers fall short in their bid to overtake Belfast, finishing second would simplify their route to playoff finals weekend.
Matt Spencer was crucial as Nottingham earned wins over Dundee and the Fife Flyers, posting two points (one goal, one assist) in a tense win over Fife.
Ultimately, the Panthers skated away as 4-1 winners – but two goals (one on the powerplay and one into an empty net) in the final three and a half minutes obscure just how close the Flyers went to securing an upset.
Spencer is solid in all situations for the Panthers, with his weekly ice time breaking through the 60-minute mark.
Forward – Alexis D’Aoust, Manchester Storm
Without Alexis D’Aoust, the Storm would probably already be out of the playoff race. Instead, they sit just five points behind eighth-place Dundee – with two season-altering games in hand.
The Canadian authored another high-scoring week last time out, with back-to-back three-point performances (two goals, four assists) in one-goal wins over Belfast and the Guildford Flames.
D’Aoust scores in bucketloads – and does so when it matters most.
Talk about clutch.
Forward – Jack Hopkins, Coventry Blaze
Jack Hopkins, another player whose national team stock has risen this season, scored a brace in Coventry’s thumping win over Sheffield on Saturday.
On Sunday [2 March], he provided the primary assist on David Clements’ game-winning goal to take down the Flames.
Hopkins – who wracked up only twenty minutes of ice time in Round 26 – is making the most of his bottom-six role in Coventry.
Forward – Brandon Alderson, Coventry Blaze
Brandon Alderson was the difference-maker as Coventry put Guildford to the sword – a result that could have important implications on the playoff bracket.
The Canadian scored twice in the first period to put distance between the Blaze and Flames, building on his double assist performance against Sheffield.
Alderson is an under-the-radar producer for the Blaze, with his record on the season including 36 points (12 goals, 23 assists) in 42 league appearances.
Elite League Results – Round 26
Midweek Fixtures
Nottingham Panthers 2-0 Belfast Giants – Challenge Cup, Semi-Final (Second-Leg)
Cardiff Devils 6-2 Sheffield Steelers
Manchester Storm 4-3 Belfast Giants
Glasgow Clan 4-1 Cardiff Devils
Saturday, 1 March
Guildford Flames 4-5 Manchester Storm (SO)
Sheffield Steelers 0-6 Coventry Blaze
Nottingham Panthers 4-0 Dundee Stars
Cardiff Devils 6-0 Fife Flyers
Sunday, 2 March
Belfast Giants 2-3 Glasgow Clan (OT)
Dundee Stars 4-10 Sheffield Steelers
Fife Flyers 1-4 Nottingham Panthers
Coventry Blaze 3-2 Guildford Flames
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