WITH their hopes for a first Elite League title reliant on an unlikely collapse of the two teams above them, Nottingham Panthers at least kept the interest going at the National Ice Centre.

They eked out a 3-2 victory over Edinburgh Capitals in a game of just 50 shots – which says a lot for the attacking endeavour of both sides.

But it's just a pity Panthers couldn't have pulled out more wins earlier in the season like this one, when they didn't play particularly well.

Then we might be looking forward to a title to celebrate at the weekend instead of what looks like being a third successive third spot.

Panthers were without injured captain Danny Meyers (foot) and Kevin Bergin (virus) and had Geoff Woolhouse in goal for the third time for Kevin St Pierre (groin).

For the third time Woolhouse picked up a man of the match award, too, for another solid display.

But in truth, Edinburgh were just as wasteful in front of goal as Panthers.

It was one of those games when Panthers played as if they knew they would win and the opposition knew they would have to be on tip-top form to cause a shock.

They weren't . . . and they didn't.

Even though there was only one goal in it until Bruce Richardson's empty-netter in the last minute, Edinburgh failed to put Woolhouse under any undue pressure, which was testimony to Panthers' defence.

Capitals huffed and puffed and had plenty of possession, but not in key areas.

And the visitors seemed as shocked as everyone when they hit a second goal, with a mere eight seconds remaining

But Panthers comfortably ran down the clock and now look forward to a probable meeting with Edinburgh in the play-offs.

But there were few pointers for either side in this game.

Panthers opened like an express train and took the lead after just 74 seconds.

Cameron Mann picked up defenceman Stevie Lee who burst into the zone and rifled the puck home via goalie Cody Rudkowsky.

With referee Tom Darnell starting to hand out penalties to both sides for the slightest misdemeanour, the game became disjointed.

But at least Capitals managed to equalise when Simon Lambert netted on the power-play, off Woolhouse's skate (7.07).

Caps' captain Martin Cingel was made to pay for a glaring miss at the start of the second period.

Just moments later (24.07), Mann went skate-about with no-one challenging him and he hit his 34th of the season off Rudkowsky's shoulder.

With chances at a premium in the third, Panthers made sure of victory in the final minute, with Richardson sliding in his empty-netter (59.11).

And Jeff Hutchins' final say for caps (59.52 was too late to matter.

Now Edinburgh face champions-elect Coventry, at the Skydome, before the return in Murrayfield on Saturday.

Can the Scots beat Blaze twice to set up a thrilling title finale?

I doubt that very much.

PANTHERS held the first part of their players' awards night after the game with Edinburgh.

All the players were represented with a memento, while other supporters' awards went to:

Most entertaining: Bruce Richardson.

Most consistent: Kevin St Pierre.

Team spirit: Danny Meyers.

Fans' favourite: Cameron Mann.

Home performance of the season: Kevin Bergin (fight, 2 goals, assist v Belfast in October)