Nottingham Panthers forward Cameron Mann says that playing at the National Ice Centre is very similar to the world's top league, the NHL.

The 32-year-old played nearly 100 games in the NHL for Boston and Nashville and has since plied his trade in Europe.

Mann told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It's like an NHL rink. It's an NHL-size rink and our fans here are great, they're loud and in to the game.

"I think compared to the NHL, with the rink and the fans, it's very similar."

Mann has scored six goals in 10 games since joining the Panthers in the summer and has recently been playing on a line with French-Canadian Bruce Richardson and Scottish youngster Ross Dalgleish.

"He [Richardson] is a grinding forward that works really hard and works on his energy," added Mann.

"It's contagious, when he's getting to the puck first you have got to get open for him and he is definitely a joy to play with.

"His work ethic not only rubs off on his line but the whole team, so obviously playing with him is nice.

"Dagsy [Dalgleish] is always working hard and that's what we need to do to be successful. We've been a pretty good unit so far and we've got to keep working hard."

We have to crack that streak they have going against us right now Cameron Mann

The Panthers travel to Cardiff in the Elite League on Saturday (1900 BST), before hosting Coventry in the Challenge Cup on Sunday (1600 BST).

Victory for the Panthers against the Blaze on Sunday would secure their place in the semi-finals of the competition they won in 2004 and 2008.

Mann said: "Coventry play well against us, they work hard, play their system and have good goaltending.

"We know we have to be ready right from the start when we play them and we have to crack that streak they have going against us right now."

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