Friday: Playoffs begin with Storm hosting Steelers!

Photo: Mark Ferris

It's Playoff time! We begin the 2023 Viaplay Elite League Playoffs with a Friday night War of the Roses grudge match between Manchester Storm and Sheffield Steelers at the Storm Shelter.

It's expected to be a sold-out crowd in Altrincham so fans travelling to the game are advised to buy their tickets online before heading off.  You can also watch the game online by clicking here! 

Sixth-seeded Storm come into this fixture having won their last home game against the third-seeded Steelers when the sides met on 22 February. That was the Storm's second home win over the Steelers this season, with the other coming in a Viaplay Challenge Cup group stage game after the Steelers were already through. Sheffield won the two remaining league fixtures in regulation, and in the other cup game in overtime. On each visit to the Shelter this season, the Steelers have failed to score at least four goals only once.

Storm have only won one of their last five home games, but clocked up five-straight home victories over the back end of January and across February. The Steelers have only two wins from their last six road trips, but did end the league season as the EIHL's second-strongest team away from home.

The second leg takes place at 7pm on Saturday in Sheffield. As tonight's game is the first leg of an aggregate-scoring series, the game will finish at 60 minutes - even if it's tied.

Be at the Playoff Finals Weekend!
Make sure you secure your ticket to be there for the final games of the season at the 2023 Viaplay Playoff Finals Weekend in Nottingham. Tickets are on sale here as both weekend passes and individual day tickets!