CRAIG Kowalski insists the experience learned during the run-in to last season's double winning triumph will prove invaluable this time round for Nottingham Panthers.

The stand-out American goaltender says the current line-up, with only four new to the game in the UK, are more tuned in to the requirements needed to win a league title.

And after last weekend's two six-goal maulings of former champions Coventry, Kowalski says Panthers also seem to be peaking at the right time, with some huge games on the horizon.

"I definitely think we're hitting our stride, just like we did last year," said Kowalski ahead of this weekend's games with Dundee, at the National Ice Centre tomorrow (7pm), and Edinburgh (away) on Sunday.

"It's certainly not an easy schedule for us this month, with the big games against Belfast and Sheffield coming up.

"But after the next three weeks, we will have a good indication of where we're going this time.

"It's a tough task and we will need to win pretty much every game, but the guys know that.

"The effort is there and we are starting to peak at the right time."

Players coming from outside the UK are more accustomed to targeting the end of season play-offs, which is the most important trophy on offer around the rest of the world, rather than winning the league title.

That point was emphasised when Panthers' latest signing Rhett Gordon had to be reminded of when he won the league title with Sheffield, when he was last playing in Britain.

Kowalski added: "It's often tough to get it into players' heads but I think the guys are tuned into the league title format.

"With a good percentage of last year's team coming back, they know what it's all about and the importance of turning up every night to win rather than just finishing high enough and qualifying for the play-offs.

"The line-up seems more focused than last time because so many players have been in this situation before and they know what the deal is.

"Winning two trophies last year was great and three this time wouldn't be too shabby."

After last Saturday's emphatic victory over of Coventry, Kowalski was named man of the match and he said he was embarrassed when 5,000 fans gave him a standing ovation, chanting his name.

"Just unbelievable," he said. "I've never experienced anything like that before and it is something I will always remember.

"When they started singing my name I didn't know what to do – I'm not too good put in the spotlight like that and was a little embarrassed.

"It was an awesome feeling, though, and I hope to continue to play well and it might happen again!"

Kowalski also had a word of praise for Panther's two new boys, Gordon and Finn Sami Ryhannen.

He said: "Rhett got off to a good start with three points last weekend.

"He works hard, does a lot of little things well and I think he'll get even better with a few games under his belt.

"Sami is doing well right now and he plays with a bit of grit, getting under guys' skin.

"He's good in the room, too, pretty funny, but like the rest of us he knows when to buckle down and work."