There’s a full schedule of games on Saturday night across the Elite League, with several teams beginning their league campaigns while others continue in the Challenge Cup.
Guildford Flames get the action underway at 6pm when they host Glasgow Clan in league play. Clan are one of only four teams to have played a league fixture so far, and sit second after winning their opener – they will go top if they win tonight. The Flames endured a mixed weekend last time out, but Sunday’s overtime defeat to Sheffield left them feeling more positive than their two losses to Nottingham.
It’s also league action in Sheffield at 7pm, where Dundee Stars are the visitors. Neither of these teams have played a league fixture yet, but both have made impressive starts in the Challenge Cup, sitting second and first in their respective groups. Dundee’s win in Sheffield in November last year was their first since 2022.
Back in the Challenge Cup, Belfast Giants start their weekend on the road in Scotland against Fife Flyers. The Flyers lost 4-1 in Kirkcaldy before suffering an 8-0 defeat in Belfast in the teams’ previous meetings this season. Defeat for the Flyers would make it very difficult for them to progress to the next round, while a Giants win could send them top of Group B.
Cardiff Devils, leaders of Group A, face Coventry Blaze who sit two places and two points behind them. The Blaze came out 2-1 winners when the teams met a couple of weeks ago at the Skydome, and followed that up with an excellent shutout win in Sheffield last weekend. Cardiff’s only loss so far this season came against the Blaze – they have won five of their six games overall.
Finally, Nottingham Panthers will look to continue their Cup push at home to Manchester Storm. The Panthers appear back on track after a disappointing start and could climb to third in the group if results go their way. Manchester, meanwhile, come into the game on the back of two defeats to Cardiff last weekend and can ill afford another loss if they want to stay in contention.
Photo: Dean Wooley