Tonight: Final games before Christmas

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Ten teams go into tonight's final games before Christmas looking to give their fans some festive cheer.

1630 Glasgow Clan vs. Sheffield Steelers

Sheffield will go into Christmas as league leaders if they can at least match Cardiff’s result today.

The Steelers got their first win over Clan in yesterday’s 5-3 victory, but now they need to win in Scotland to ensure they stay top of the pile. For Clan it would be the perfect time to end a run of four straight losses having now slipped seventh. 

“Everyone is playing and buying into the system, and despite the results going against us the effort is there and the guys care. Hopefully we can bring some of the momentum we built up yesterday into the game today.” – Zack Fitzgerald (Head Coach, Glasgow Clan)

“We have to be ready to go. It’s an early start to go up to Glasgow for a four ‘o clock start but that’s the business we’re in.” – Aaron Fox (Head Coach, Sheffield Steelers)

1700 Dundee Stars vs. Nottingham Panthers

Few teams could do with a win more than Dundee. The Stars have had eight losses in a row in all competitions and drifted to nine points short of the playoff places.

Nottingham were 6-1 winners when these sides met in the Midlands yesterday evening for their third win of the season against the Stars. Notably, the Panthers have scored at least five goals in each of the teams’ meetings so far.

"We need a bounceback not just for the standings but also for our fans. We have to minimise our mistakes because that's what's really costing us at the moment, but I expect the players to be fired up." - Omar Pacha (Head Coach, Dundee Stars)

"I liked our speed and forecheck yesterday and our defensive zone was solid. But this is a new day now and we have to be ready to work again in Dundee. It will be a different game there, but we have to be pros and ready to go when we get off the bus." - Tim Wallace (Head Coach, Nottingham Panthers)

1730 Coventry Blaze vs. Guildford Flames

A shootout win was enough to keep Guildford’s winning streak going after a tight game in Surrey between these two teams yesterday.

The Flames have won their last seven straight league games and are looking for their fourth four-point weekend in a row. This form has seen them move up to third in the table and a win will keep them at least that high. Their next five games (Coventry, 2x Cardiff, 2x Manchester) could well determine if the Flames are to be serious title contenders this season or not.

Coventry’s new goalie CJ Mette impressed on his debut in Guildford and now will make his first appearance at the Skydome. The Blaze are still winless against Guildford this season across league and cup.

“Coventry is a little bit of a smaller ice pad than ours so things happen faster there. We've had success there this season doing the simple things, and playing with high intensity - and that's exactly what we'll need to do again.” – Paul Dixon (Head Coach, Guildford Flames)

“Guildford are top of the form table in the league at the moment, and they have a tendency to play well in our rink. I expect much of the same thing but if we battle and perform well then we'll give ourselves a chance to win just as we did in Guildford.” – Danny Stewart (Head Coach, Coventry Blaze)

1800 Cardiff Devils vs. Manchester Storm

Cardiff could give their fans the perfect Christmas present tonight. A win and Sheffield losing in Glasgow would see the Devils go into the Christmas period top of the table. Lose tonight however and the Welsh side could end the night in third, such is the compactness of table.

The Devils are however trying to make this a successful week following yesterday’s win in Belfast and knocking the Giants out of the Challenge Cup midweek.

Manchester earned themselves a late point against Fife yesterday before losing out in overtime. That extra point for the Flyers extended the gap to three points that the Storm will need to make up if they want to get into the playoff places.

"It was a playoff-type game in Belfast and I was very pleased to get the win there. We've had a big week but now we need to complete the job at home. Manchester pushed us close in our last home game against them and they have some very dangerous players." - Andrew Lord (Head Coach, Cardiff Devils)

"I thought we did enough to win yesterday's game but any time you equalise with four seconds left you have to take it as a positive. Going into Cardiff is a good test for us, I liked our game the last time we were there - they're a good team, especially in their own building, but we will have to be better defensively than against Fife." - Ryan Finnerty (Head Coach, Manchester Storm)

1830 Fife Flyers vs. Belfast Giants

Fife’s overtime win in Manchester means the Flyers are looking for a four-point weekend to end on a high before Christmas. 

The Flyers could go back into the top six if other results go their way tonight, but nevertheless breaking a three-game losing streak ahead of the next few busy weeks will have been very welcome.

It’s been a miserable week so far for Belfast. The defending Challenge Cup champions were knocked out of the competition in the Quarter-Finals on Wednesday and then lost at home to Cardiff again yesterday, however the men in teal did manage to find the net and break a scoring drought of over five periods.

"It's going to be tough, Belfast are in the middle of their own battles as well and beat us the last time they came into our building. We need to play better than we did in the second and periods against Manchester, but we've also beaten the Giants this season quite comfortable so we know what it will take." - Todd Dutiaume (Head Coach, Fife Flyers)

"The character that our guys showed to push back against Cardiff was a positive from yesterday's game. We played well the last time we were in Fife and will need to do so again tonight if we're to take anything against this team." - Adam Keefe (Head Coach, Belfast Giants)