Neilson wants an end to excuses

Nottingham Panthers player-coach Corey Neilson insists there can be no more excuses for his side's bad run of form.

Panthers have won just once in their last seven outings as they go into Thursday's game with Cardiff Devils.

The encounter at the National Ice Centre doubles up as an Elite League and Challenge Cup match.

Neilson told BBC Radio Nottingham: "Everyone's got an excuse but we just haven't scored at key times in the key games recently."

Victory against the Devils would move Panthers back to second in the Elite League table and push them closer to a place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

"We've been preparing for this big clash by watching the video. We've been remembering what we did well and what we didn't do so well," Neilson added.

"We've played really well against the Devils and haven't made a lot of mistakes. Now we are back in our own arena I think it sways the advantage to us."

Panthers expect to be back to full strength after David Clarke, Danny Meyers, Matthew Myers and Mark Richardson all returned from Great Britain's pre-Olympic qualifying campaign unscathed.