Panthers coach is a loser - Lewis

Lewis (l) is ready for another battle against Nottingham

Coventry Blaze hard-man Carlyle Lewis has branded Nottingham Panthers player-coach Corey Neilson a "loser" as they prepare for Sunday's clash.

Tensions rose between the clubs after Blaze beat Panthers on penalties in November and Neilson said "the mystique of this Coventry team is over".

Lewis said: "The comments from Corey Neilson just show the loser he is.

"We haven't forgotten what he said after the last game and we'll be looking to make our point in the game."

Blaze and Panthers sit in second and third place in the Elite League respectively and will be looking to keep up the pace with leaders Sheffield Steelers.

Speaking of the match in Coventry, Blaze head coach Paul Thompson added: "I think we'll do our talking on the ice.

"I think our trophy cabinet shows that. The Panthers have their heads in the clouds so much - I hope they see our championship banners on their way down back to earth.

"The difference between us and Nottingham is that we respect that they have a good hockey club, but their ignorance is that they do not respect that we have one too."