We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are all set for a busy Boxing Day across the Elite League.

A Sheffield Steelers vs. Nottingham Panthers fixture rarely needs much introduction, but this year both teams are joint league leaders as they meet on Boxing Day. The game is also expected to set a new Elite League attendance record, with over 9,400 tickets already sold. With injuries to several key players, the Panthers added Johnny Curran on Christmas Eve. As a British passport holder, Curran does not require a visa but is subject to ITC clearance. He is classified as a non-homegrown player in the EIHL as he did not play his junior hockey in the UK. Patrick Watling is also good to go for the Steelers.

Also starting at 4pm, Cardiff Devils welcome Coventry Blaze to another sold-out Vindico Arena. The Devils are also joint top of the league, although ranked behind the Panthers and Steelers having played a game more. Coventry sit five points above the bottom two as they begin to welcome players back from injury. New signing Jordan Power is cleared to play.

At 5pm it is a Scottish derby in Braehead, with Dundee Stars visiting Glasgow Clan. Clan ended a lengthy losing run with two victories over Fife before Christmas and remain in the middle of the pack in the table. Dundee, currently on a five-game losing streak, picked up a useful point in Manchester two days before the break. The Stars added Quinn Ryan and Zach Taylor to their line-up before Christmas, with both still pending visa and ITC clearance before they can ice.

In Manchester at 5.30pm, Guildford Flames are the visitors to the Storm Shelter. Storm scored more than one goal at home for the first time in almost a month in their win over Dundee on the 23rd, sealing a much-needed shootout victory to lift themselves into fifth place. Guildford collected three points in their last outing and sit seventh, but are only a win away from the top five.

Finally at 7pm, Belfast Giants host Fife Flyers at what is expected to be a packed SSE Arena. Fife will be able to count on the services of David Booth, who is cleared to play following approval of his UK visa. Milan Lucic will only be eligible if his clearance and ITC approval are received in time. The Giants have quietly kept themselves in title contention with recent wins. They sit seven points off the top three but have played three games fewer than both the Panthers and Steelers. Fife remain bottom, but three points from their last four games have closed the gap to ninth to just two points.

Photo: Dean Woolley