IT is the elephant in the room that Ryan Finnerty refuses to acknowledge.

Given the gravity of the next two weeks, however, it would be futile for anyone at Braehead to attempt not to get carried away by its presence.

Forty-four games, 30 wins, 163 goals and 63 points have been witnessed and celebrated, only a handful of obstacles now remain between Clan and the trophy they crave the most.

Just eight games are left in a season that has seen the Glasgow club consistently push not only their rivals, but themselves, in the pursuit of the Elite Ice Hockey League title.

That surge has brought their dream almost within reach.

Currently three points clear at the top of the table ahead of joint second-placed Sheffield Steelers and Cardiff Devils, Braehead have the power this weekend to maintain, if not tighten, their grip on the prize that has so far eluded them.

Nottingham Panthers travel to the Braehead Arena tonight before Fife Flyers follow suit on Sunday. It is a weekend to claim four points that will inch that league title ever closer.

But, regardless of favourites Clan standing on the brink of history, head coach Finnerty is content to be blinded by blissful ignorance. At least for now.

"This is just another game for us," claimed the Canadian. "Obviously as the games wind down they get more important. We had a good weekend last time out with two wins and two clean sheets [against Dundee Stars] so confidence is pretty high.

"Nobody is talking about it. We are still in a big fight and anything can happen. It's definitely an exciting time and we will look to keep building."

While Finnerty refused to build up tonight's match with the Panthers, a side nine points adrift who realistically must win to have any chance of finishing top themselves, he did allow his guard to slip briefly.

It is clear he and the backroom team at Clan have held a belief in this current group of players for some time.

And the 34-year-old told SportTimes: "It would be incredible. To win the league would be an astonishing feat and the fans deserve it, and so do the guys.

"But it is so hard to talk about it at this stage. It's quite a bit away and a lot of things can happen between now and the end of the season.

"Like anyone else, it would be an incredible feeling with a lot of pride to go with it. However, it's a difficult situation just now and we do not want to get carried away."

His faith in his own team is well-founded, but Finnerty's apprehension to write off their opponents is equally justified.

Sheffield and Cardiff are still within striking distance of Braehead, with the Steelers still holding a game in hand which could cut the gap to a single point.

Clan go there next Wednesday night for a game that could define the destiny of the league.

For now, though, Finnerty is content to focus on the task in hand - defeating Nottingham.

"We know what the Panthers bring. They are a solid team who are well coached and I think they are going to play hard.

"Nottingham have always had good teams with a bigger budget, they are used to success. They are right to be cocky and confident.

"We just want to make sure we play our game and grab the result any way we can."