Saturday: Top two clash headlines full schedule
Photo: James Assinder
It's a full schedule in Week 23 of the 2023/24 Elite Ice Hockey League season, and a clash of the top two teams headline's Saturday night's action. All games tonight start at 7pm.
It'll be a 'hell-out' at the Vindico Arena in Cardiff as the Devils welcome leaders Sheffield Steelers for the first of two meetings between the teams in Wales inside a month. With the Steelers arriving 14 points clear at the top, the Devils have almost no margin for error if they're to stop Sheffield lifting the league trophy this season. Cardiff's 12-game winning streak was ended on Wednesday night in Nottingham, while Sheffield are on a streak of the same length themselves. The Steelers have won both meetings between the teams since the Devils win in Sheffield early in the season.
Click here to watch Devils vs. Steelers.
It's a quick turnaround for Fife Flyers who are in Belfast after Friday night's home fixture against Manchester Storm. The Flyers, chasing a playoff position, face a Giants team with wins in three of their last four games. Road points have been hard to come by for the Flyers who, by points percentage, have the league's worst away record. They did, however, pick up a shootout win on their last visit to Belfast, but were beaten in one on Friday night at home to Manchester.
Click here to watch Giants vs. Flyers.
Fifth-placed Coventry Blaze host Dundee Stars who are only four points behind them heading into the final months of the season. The Blaze are on a .553 record so far this season, while the Stars are just below the line on .487 - although Dundee have already surpassed last season's win total quite comfortable. Coventry have won all three meetings by the teams this season, while the Stars are hoping to end a seven-game losing run in the league in the process.
Click here to watch Blaze vs. Stars.
Glasgow Clan host Nottingham Panthers for the first time since mid-October on Saturday night. The teams have met twice recently at the Motorpoint Arena. Both teams have won their last two games, while the Panthers are on a run of four wins from their last six futures overall as they cut the gap to the playoffs down to four points.
Click here to watch Clan vs. Panthers.
Manchester Storm are back on home ice after Friday night's trip to Fife to face Guildford Flames at the Storm Shelter. The Flames arrive out of sorts with five straight losses behind them, a run that's seen them slip closer to being caught by Coventry and the other teams chasing a playoff place. Manchester picked up an important shootout win in Fife to move to within only four points of the Flames.
