Tonight: Giants face elimination from Challenge Cup

Final Game of Group A

It’s “do or die” for Belfast in the Challenge Cup tonight. The defending champions cling on by a thread from being knocked out of this year’s competition at the first hurdle after another road defeat last weekend.

The maths is simple: Belfast need at least a point from this game.

If they get it, they’ll qualify on five points. Glasgow will then finish above Fife due to the Clan’s better head-to-head record against the Flyers (Clan won both games).

If Belfast get nothing, then they’ll be tied with Fife on four points. The sides have equal numbers of wins, regulation wins, and split their series against each other with a win each. The Flyers would then qualify on having more road wins during the Group Stage – their 2-0 win in Dundee providing the difference. Read the full tie-break criteria here.

Glasgow simply need to better Belfast’s result tonight to ensure they finish as group runners up; but they’ll also be looking to extend their winning streak. The sides will then meet tomorrow, in Glasgow, in a league encounter.

"We know that Belfast are a very, very talented team, but it’s about us trying to dictate the game ourselves. We want to make them react to our style of playing rather than us chasing them. We’re on a streak here and everyone wants to continue that, but no-one is getting complacent. In our practices this week, no-one was talking about last weekend, just looking ahead to this one." - Patrick Killeen (Goalie, Glasgow Clan)

"It's do-or-die for us. Everyone in our room has to man up, show up, and have our best game of the year." - Liam Reddox (Forward, Belfast Giants)