NOTTINGHAM Panthers' GB defenceman Danny Meyers is determined to lift his first trophy since becoming captain of the team last season.

Cardiff Devils are at the National Ice Centre tonight (7.30pm) for the second leg of the Challenge Cup final, looking to overturn a 4-2 deficit from the first game in South Wales ten days ago.

And the Ascot-born Meyers warned that Cardiff will be at their explosive best and just as determined to get that first major trophy in the cabinet.

He certainly wouldn't want his good mate, ex-Panther Mark Richardson – the recently installed Cardiff skipper – to be lifting it instead.

"Picking up a trophy will mean so much to me, especially as the team's two previous captains (David Clarke and Sean McAslan) enjoyed that honour," said Meyers.

"It's the dream of every sportsperson and it's not happened for me yet.

"We've still got the chance to win three trophies but this is the one we're all concentrating on at the moment.

"But having a two-goal lead means little. In a bizarre way, it's impossible to formulate a game-plan.

"We certainly can't sit back and invite Cardiff to come to us. That would just be asking for trouble against a team that can be explosive.

"The first goal is so important. If we get it, the confidence will soar and Cardiff might just let their heads drop.

"But if they get it, the momentum can swing their way. It's a massive game for both teams but probably more so for Cardiff because they are nearer a trophy than perhaps they will be this season, although you never know what might happen in the play-offs."

The last time Cardiff were at the NIC, just a day before the cup final first leg, Panthers trailed 2-0 before hitting back to level and then lost it on penalty shots.

Coming so soon after they demolished league leaders Coventry 7-2, it was a blow to Panthers' title hopes but will give Cardiff heart and serve as a reminder that nothing is cut and dried tonight.

"We have to stay out of the penalty box because they have a good power-play," said Meyers.

"But, with a Corey Neilson team, offence is always the best defence and as we are a puck-possession team, if we've got it, they can't score.

"The last time we won it, Sheffield beat us in the second leg, going 2-0 up after ten minutes if I remember. But we don't want to go down that route.

"Cardiff will come at us, we know that. We will be ready for whatever they throw at us."

Meyers, who has been suffering with a niggling foot injury and only played sparingly in Hull on Sunday, will be fit.

And No.1 goalie Kevin St Pierre will be back after missing the win on Humberside.

Meyers added: "Me and Frenchie (St Pierre) sat on the bench on Sunday and you should have seen the relief on our faces when we finally won.

"We'd have blamed ourselves if Hull had sneaked it but that makes us more determined not to let this one slip through our grasps tonight."