We’re another week closer to the end of the season, but still many twists and turns away from finding out which team will be crowned Elite League champions.
After an eventful weekend of action, here are our standout Elite League performers.
Elite League Team of the Week – Sunday, 23 March
Netminder – Jason Grande, Nottingham Panthers
I’m running out of superlatives for Jason Grande, who finished the round with a shutout, two wins, and an unassailable lead at the top of the league’s save percentage charts.
The American has maximised his opportunity in Nottingham, taking control of the crease and never looking back.
Team of the Week: Jason Grande, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
Grande’s 36-save shutout versus the Glasgow Clan separates him from his peers this week, boosting the 30-save performance that saw him backstop the Panthers to a 5-1 win over the Devils.
In his last five starts, the 26-year-old has conceded three goals on 165 shots – absurd.
Defenceman – Sacha Guimond, Sheffield Steelers
Sacha Guimond is in his twelfth professional season – and you can tell.
The 33-year-old is a smooth operator on the blueline for the Steelers, with 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 61 appearances on the season.
Formerly of HC Innsbruck and Olimpija Ljubljana, Guimond marked the latest round by finding twine versus the Manchester Storm, finishing the weekend plus-three.
Defenceman – Mike Lee, Belfast Giants
Like Guimond, Mike Lee is a player who slips under the radar outside his home market.
The American has quietly put a fantastic season together on Adam Keefe’s blueline, climbing to 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists) on the season courtesy of primary assists against the Guildford Flames and Cardiff.
Lee doesn’t wobble in important moments – his helper against the Devils sent the game to overtime and ultimately secured Belfast an all-important point in the battle for the title.
The 28-year-old is a key powerplay weapon, always hovering around the 22-minute mark in ice time, which makes him one of Belfast’s most high-usage defenders.
Forward – Logan Neilson, Nottingham Panthers
It’s always trouble when ‘the Elite League’ and ‘player development’ are mentioned in the same sentence – but I’m willing to take the risk on this occasion.
Logan Neilson has made decent strides in his individual development this term, with the Panthers playing a crucial role in his progression.
The 22-year-old scored and provided an assist in Nottingham’s 5-1 win over Cardiff, taking his tally on the season to 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 63 appearances.
Neilson’s performance versus Cardiff is an outlier – he earned more than 12 minutes of ice time, a substantial bump from his usual nine-minute allocation, and looked the part throughout.
Forward – Daniel Leavens, Sheffield Steelers
Whenever a player scores four times in a single game against an in-form opponent, they deserve a place in the Team of the Week.
Daniel Leaven, who lit the lamp four times against the Clan, is therefore a lock on this occasion.
Forward – Nick Seitz, Coventry Blaze
Lastly, a word on Nick Seitz.
When the 25-year-old joined the Coventry Blaze last summer, few anticipated that he would break out as one of the best forwards in the Elite League.
Team of the Week: Nick Seitz, Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
But here we are.
Seitz posted three goals and three assists in Round 29, lifting his total on the season to 57 points (29 goals, 28 assists) in 61 games. Spicy.
Round 29 – Elite League Results
Wednesday, 19 March
- Nottingham Panthers 5-1 Cardiff Devils
Friday, 21 March
- Glasgow Clan 2-10 Sheffield Steelers
- Cardiff Devils 4-3 Belfast Giants (SO)
Saturday, 22 March
- Glasgow Clan 0-3 Nottingham Panthers
- Sheffield Steelers 4-1 Manchester Storm
- Dundee Stars 3-4 Coventry Blaze
- Fife Flyers 2-7 Guildford Flames
Sunday, 23 March 2025
- Belfast Giants 5-2 Guildford Flames
- Manchester Storm 6-0 Cardiff Devils
- Coventry Blaze 7-2 Fife Flyers
READ MORE:
