Tonight: Giants and Flames both look to kickstart league seasons

Belfast host Guildford this evening

Friday night Elite Ice Hockey League action sees Guildford make the first of their trips over to Belfast this season.

The Flames head to the SEE Arena having just completed a home and away series with Dundee involving almost 900 miles in two days, but having flown yesterday will probably find the trip to Belfast somewhat more comfortable. That league series with the Stars saw each side take a win each. Guildford have four points from to wins to their name in the league, having played five games to date.

Belfast are back on home ice after losing Sunday in Fife. The Giants brushed past the Flyers 24 hours before heading to Scotland and going down 5-2 in what were both cup matches bans. The Giants' only league action to date has seen them shutout Nottingham at home, and lose in Manchester in overtime.

"Belfast have a top end team as they have shown with their results in the Champions League; and when you throw in the challenges of the overall journey to get to their building it is a pair of points that are as difficult as any you can try to get in this league. We are as prepared as we can be, and our intention is to get in there and work for 60 minutes at pace and see where we stand in the end. We have usually competed well there, but often ended up out of the points so hopefully on this occasion we can take a little more away on the flight back." - Paul Dixon (Head Coach, Guildford Flames)

Face-off is at 1900 tonight, in a game where the Flames are looking to do something they've yet to achieve in since joining the Elite League - win in Belfast.