COACH Corey Neilson today paid tribute to the fitness of his side – Brendan Cook in particular – just three days ahead of Nottingham Panthers' crunch weekend.

His unbeaten table-toppers face play-off winners Sheffield Steelers on Saturday in what should be a near full-house at the National Ice Centre.

And on Sunday away to champions Coventry, they face a Blaze side anxious to get things back on track after successive defeats.

Two more wins for Panthers last weekend saw 25-year-old Canadian Cook finish with five points and a man-of-the-match award.

Neilson said: "Brendan is sparkling. He is fast, has great skill and is one of the fittest players in the team.

"He blew us all away with his shape and the pride he takes in his fitness and conditioning.

Click here and listen to full Brendan Cook interview

"But the entire team is fit and fast and that's why we don't die late in games. That's credit to strength and conditioning coach Scott Poundall.

"In his new role he's done a great job. We are able to go wide open all the time and that's down to him as well as the players' willingness to get the job done."

Cook said Panthers' fine start is due to the line-up Neilson has put together.

"Hats off to Corey for bringing in quality guys to fill specific roles," he said.

"I've got the chance to play with two good players (Matthew Myers and Jade Galbraith) and it's paying off for us all.

"I'm looking forward to the weekend. I've done my research and know all about the rivalry with Sheffield.

"But we're four-and-0 at the moment, everyone is looking at our tail-lights and hopefully it stays like that."