'MONUMENTAL' is the word used by David Clarke to label Nottingham Panthers' crucial home double-header against Elite League leaders Belfast Giants at the weekend.

And the crucial league games have taken on added significance with the Giants booking their place in the two-legged Challenge Cup final to face Panthers after beating Cardiff Devils 5-3 on aggregate in the semi-final.

It is a re-run of last season's final when Panthers won 4-3 on aggregate to collect the trophy for the second successive year.

In-form Belfast followed up their 4-1 second leg win over the Devils by dumping Sheffield 4-2 in South Yorkshire 24 hours later and with Panthers' game in Edinburgh being called off, the Giants opened up a seven-point gap on the second-placed Nottingham side.

Two big crowds are expected at the National Ice Centre on Saturday and Sunday and hot-shot Clarke – who fired his 30th goal of the season with his hat-trick in the 6-2 win against Dundee – says: "Bring it on!"

The Great Britain star added: "We know this weekend is monumental for the season in terms of us continuing our challenge for the league title.

"And it's going to be a pre-run for the Challenge Cup final as well. These are the sort of occasions that make it so special being a hockey player, especially here in Nottingham.

"There comes a time when you have to pull it out of the bag.

"I know it's a cliché, but to win championships you have to beat the top teams in key situations.

"Belfast are a big hockey club. They spend money to strengthen the line-up when necessary and we knew they'd make a move to bring in another key player (Mike Hoffman).

"We beat them at their place the last time we met but we knew they'd get better for the run-in and Hoffman has proved to be effective for them in the past.

"Having been with them last season, we know he's a good player and he's been playing in the AHL most of the year.

"He brings another dimension to their game because they are a small team and he is more direct than they've been used to this season

"But we've got better in the last few weeks too so it's exciting times ahead.

"Belfast will be a bigger challenge for us in the cup but we beat them last year – with Mike Hoffman in their team – so it will definitely be an entertaining final with the style of hockey we both play.

"With the second leg in our building this time, we will get more than 500 celebrating with us."

After netting three hat-tricks before last season was barely three months old, Clarke was delighted to get his first treble in the win against Dundee.

"It's always nice to score, especially a hat-trick," he said. "But winning is all that matters.

"I had a bit of luck with the goal that came off the boards but I was fortunate to be in the right spot to put it away. You'll take those all night.

"I know it was fairly comfortable for us but Dundee are a good hockey club and they will turn some people over in their building. In fact there are no real gimmes in this league any more.

"Corey and Strachs (coaches Neilson and Rick Strachan) have been working on my game the last few weeks, wanting me to do other things and adding more to my game.

"I've been working really hard in practice so it's definitely paying dividends.

"With line-up changes and injuries it's sometimes hard to get a chemistry going for your line like we've had the last couple of years but we are finding our groove now and it's looking pretty good.

"I love playing with Franny (Matt Francis). He is full of energy and creates a lot of space and we are starting to get a good understanding with Sami (Ryhanen) too.

"It's good that we are gelling as a line and you can see that the other lines are also getting better with every game, which can only be good for the stretch."