At the Sky Dome tonight, it was top versus second and it was the Nottingham Panthers or 'panties' as some Blaze fans had cruelly labelled them following their appearance in a piece for the BBC One television show The One Show, who struck first.
2.37 had been played when Dave Clarke scored on the power play, assisted by Sean McAslan and Cameron Mann.
However, the Blaze fans in a reasonably full Sky Dome were back on their feet thanks to Greg Owen levelling with a power play goal on 10.55, assisted by Brian Lee and Danny Stewart.
Nottingham contined to collect penalties with Marl Levers receiving a ten minute penalty, three minutes into the second period for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Levers got back onto the ice and with Jason Robinson off for two minutes for a delay of the game, Nottingham regained the lead thanks to Marty Gascon scoring on 37.46.
Into the third and it was Marty Gascon on 48.19 who extended Nottingham's lead when he fired home.
With tempers flaring, the Blaze's Derek Campbell got two minutes plus two for spearing and another ten miutes to see the Blaxe down to four men on 56.55 which meant they had little chance of getting anything out of the match.
In the dying seconds, Nottingham's Dominc D'Amour got five minutes for fighting and twenty five minutes for abusing referee Thompson but it is Nottingham who top the table tonight with 55 points whilst the Blaze who have two games in hand are second with 54 points.
On Saturday, The Blaze travel to Newcastle Vipers before taking on Hull Stingrays at home on Sunday.