After the drama of the 2026 Problem Cup Last and the primary trophy of the season awarded, it’s a full slate of league video games throughout the Elite Ice Hockey League this night.
Belfast Giants might clinch the league title this weekend, however might want to win each of their video games and hope for outcomes elsewhere to go of their favour to take action. They play at dwelling on Saturday evening in opposition to Glasgow Clan within the first of a home-and-home between the 2 groups. The Giants have overwhelmed Clan in all 4 conferences between the groups this season in league play. Clan might spoil the social gathering, as a defeat for the Giants tonight would take away any risk of profitable the title on Sunday.
The Giants shall be watching Sheffield very rigorously when the Steelers host newly-crowned Problem Cup champions Nottingham Panthers on the Utilita Enviornment. The Panthers should win each video games this weekend in opposition to the Steelers to maintain their outdoors hopes of a league title alive, whereas Sheffield can solely get again within the hunt if Belfast begin dropping a number of video games. The 2 groups are separated by two factors within the Panthers’ favour as they appear to safe higher playoff seeding.
Cardiff Devils, in fourth, are mathematically nonetheless within the title race however are realistically enjoying to complete as excessive up the desk as they will forward of the playoffs. They host Dundee for a double-header this weekend, with the Stars already out of playoff rivalry.
Outdoors of the title race, one other recreation to maintain your eye on is Manchester at dwelling to Guildford. The groups are separated by only a level in the course of the desk as Storm attempt to maintain on to fifth place forward of the playoffs. Manchester have two video games in hand, however have seen their cushion diminished over the previous two months.
Ending the day are overwhelmed Cup finalists Coventry Blaze, who’ve little or no time to recover from the heartbreak of an time beyond regulation defeat earlier than they tackle Fife Flyers. The Blaze are three factors outdoors of the highest six, however solely two above Glasgow in eighth, as they play for seeding. Fife are aiming to keep away from ending final for the second straight season
Photograph: William Cherry
