Tonight: Blaze looking to secure progress in cup

Photo: James Assinder

Danny Stewart leads his Coventry Blaze team into Cardiff knowing that anything less than a win will leave them nervously waiting on the results of upcoming games to see if they’ll progress to the Premier Sports Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals.

The Blaze have only two points from six group stage games, just a win more than Manchester who are the last-placed team overall. The top eight teams from nine qualify for the next round.

Tonight’s trip to Ice Arena Wales is Coventry’s last game in the group stage, while Manchester have two left to play – both against the Nottingham Panthers. A win tonight won’t secure their place in the next round, but it would mean Storm need to win both of their games, and by good margins, to advance.

Cardiff won’t be locked in as Group B winners if they pick up two points here. The Devils currently find themselves two ahead of Guildford but have less regulation wins in the group. The two sides meet again later this month in a game that may ultimately decide which team qualifies as seeds.

Coventry’s only win in the group group to date was against Cardiff in their first meeting, however the Devils were comfortable 5-2 winners last weekend.

Tickets for this game can be bought here, while a webstream will be available here.