Elite League Week 29 Preview

The Elite Ice Hockey League season has almost come to an end. This weekend sees all teams in action once again as the race for playoff seeding and playoffs continues.

Week 28 saw the first of the silverware of the season handed out as the Sheffield Steelers and Cardiff Devils competed for the Challenge Cup. Despite Cardiff bringing the score to 4-3 with 1 minute remaining in regulation, Sheffield came out on top and won their first Challenge Cup in the EIHL era.

FRIDAY

Belfast Giants vs Nottingham Panthers

Friday sees game 1 of the double header between these two teams. Sitting 4^th and 5^th in the standings respectively, only two points separate the two teams. Nottingham have won three of four meetings between the teams this season, shutting out Belfast in Nottingham in the last two meetings. Belfast will be looking to change things this weekend and increase their table lead over the Panthers and even the series 3-3. However, the Panthers certainly won’t make things easy and rank 3^rd in away wins this season in league games. This will certainly be an interesting double header and both teams have a lot to gain, and lose, as the race for the league enters its final few weeks.

Coventry Blaze and Fife Flyers

Coventry have been the most in-form team over the last 25 games, getting 39 points, 4 more than Sheffield and Cardiff in their last 25. Coventry sit on a 4 game win streak and have points in their last 17. WOW, that’s impressive! Their last regulation loss was to Belfast in the SSE Arena on January 4^th. Coventry sit third in league standings and, if they can continue this form, have a good chance at the title. Fife currently sit bottom after a poor start to 2020. However, Fife are by no means to be underestimated, having topped then league-leaders Sheffield 3-1 on February 16^th. Coventry and Fife have 2 wins against each other this season.

SATURDAY

Belfast Giants vs Nottingham Panthers

After Friday’s game, expect another battle between these two teams. The team who drops points on Friday will certainly be looking to get one up on the other in game 2 as they battle for playoff position.

Cardiff Devils and Guildford Flames

In their first game back in action since losing the Challenge Cup Final, Cardiff will look to continue their quest for the EIHL title that Belfast stole from their grasp on the last day of season last year as Coventry beat Cardiff. Cardiff passed Sheffield to take the top spot last Friday with a 7-3 win at Viola Arena. Guildford have had an impressive season. In five league contests against Cardiff this season, Guildford have a 2-2-1 record and Belfast, Coventry, Nottingham and Sheffield will be hoping Guildford can make it 3 wins to keep their title hopes alive.

Sheffield Steelers vs Manchester Storm

Fresh off their Challenge Cup victory, Sheffield will want to put things right after a league loss to Cardiff less than 48 hours before. The result saw them drop to second in the table. Sheffield have had the edge over Manchester in league and cup games combined this season but 8^th placed Manchester will look to end their losing streak, which currently sits at 3 games.

Fife Flyers vs Glasgow Clan

The Scottish rivals face off for the last time this season. Glasgow will look to try and keep their lead over Manchester for 7^th place. Glasgow have won the majority of games between the clubs this season but Fife Ice Arena is not an easy venue for visiting teams.

SUNDAY

Dundee Stars vs Cardiff Devils

Dundee are fighting for a playoff spot and as things stand sit 9^th in league, 2 points behind Manchester and Glasgow. Dundee helped dent Cardiff’s title hopes with a 3-1 win on March 24^th last season and many fans will be hoping that history repeats itself. Cardiff have won four of five meetings so far this season but Dundee’ victory has come at home. Cardiff will want to move closer to a league title and Dundee will be fighting for a playoff spot, so it should be an interesting one.

Guildford Flames vs Glasgow Clan

The final game of the weekend sees Guildford face off against the Clan. Guildford have won all five matchups against the Clan this season and will be hoping to add to this. Glasgow seem to be in a three way race for 2 playoff spots but Guildford have always seemed to have the edge over Glasgow in the last couple of seasons. Having managed to hold Guildford to 1 or 2 goal margins in games this season, Glasgow will be looking for their first win of the series this season to help them in the all-important playoff race.

5 Players to Watch

BELFAST- Liam Morgan- Morgan, the youngest on the Giants’ side this year has 4 of his 13 EIHL goals this season in his last 5 games.

CARDIFF- Joey Haddad- Top scorer for Cardiff, Haddad has 10 points in his last 5 games.

COVENTRY- C.J. Motte- Player of week 28, Motte has helped Coventry in their recent string of wins and has won four of is last 5 starts and has been instrumental in their 17 game point streak.

NOTTINGHAM- Samuel Herr- Top scorer for Nottingham, Herr has 7 points in his last 5 games (3G, 4A).

SHEFFIELD- Brendan Connolly- Top scorer for Sheffield, Connolly also has 7 points in his last 5 games (3G, 4A).