Tonight: Three league games, one cup

Sunday action across the Elite League

Four games are spread over Sunday in Elite League competitions:

1600 Cardiff Devils vs. Coventry Blaze (Challenge Cup)

Part two of the Devils-Flames home and home weekend has Challenge Cup Group B with a very interesting complexion.

Guildford will stay top of the group regardless of the result tonight, and are almost assured of their place in the Quarter-Finals. Any points tonight will confirm that place.

Cardiff are just a point ahead of Coventry, but after tonight will have played a game more than the Blaze, so need to pick up something to ensure they don’t risk falling behind.

‘’We need a better start, better execution, and to stay out of the box. At the end of the day it’s about every guy doing their job – they know what they need to do, it’s just a matter of going out and doing it.” – Andrew Lord (Head Coach, Cardiff Devils)

“Cardiff will be a wounded team after losing last night. We know it’s a tough place to go, and they’ll be raring to go so we need to be ready for that.” – Paul Dixon (Head Coach, Guildford Flames)

1630 Glasgow Clan vs. Manchester Storm

After an extended unbeaten streak, Glasgow Clan have now lost two on the bounce as they return to home ice to face Manchester.

The Clan were beaten yesterday by Scottish rivals Dundee, and lost on home ice to Coventry a week ago – results which have seen them drop off of top spot in the league. Manchester had won three of their last four before yesterday, and despite losing to Belfast in a shootout the comeback from 5-1 down to earn a point will have no doubt given them confidence.

“Our crowd have been awesome this year, and they’re the heartbeat that keep us going. We’re playing against another 1-3-1 trap and it can be frustrating, but we control the puck well and are pretty dangerous when we get the puck in to the offensive zone. We need to make sure we play well in our own end and not give up turnovers.” – Zack Fitzgerald (Head Coach, Glasgow Clan)

“They’ve been flying high and we have a chance to go and correct the game we lost at home to Glasgow. We’re going in with the confidence of what we did in the second half of yesterday’s game, but also having learned lessons from the first.” - Ryan Finnerty (Head Coach, Manchester Storm)

1730 Coventry Blaze vs. Nottingham Panthers

Unbeaten in four road games, and without a regulation loss in five games, Coventry return from their win in Sheffield to host a Nottingham side that finally managed to win at home yesterday.

Coventry lost in overtime midweek at home to Guildford, but their away form has been cause for optimism for Blaze fans. A win over midlands rivals Nottingham would certainly back up some impressive road performances.

The Panthers’ late win over Fife yesterday ended their home drought, and they head to Coventry looking for their first four-point weekend of the season. It’s been two wins in three for the Nottingham-based side in recent games.

“It’s five of six for us on the road, and hopefully we can now carry this in to our home form and start producing wins there as well.” – Danny Stewart (Head Coach, Coventry Blaze)

“We have to learn how to play two games in as many days, and if we’re going to be a good team we need to play well tonight and build on the win over Fife.” – Tim Wallace (Head Coach, Nottingham Panthers)

1830 Fife Flyers vs. Sheffield Steelers

No-one needs reminding about what happened last time Sheffield went to Fife.

That 10-3 win for the Steelers will be something the Flyers are out to avenge as both sides go in search of their first points of the weekend.

“Sheffield seem to be rolling very well at the moment, and I’m sure they’ll come in no different to last time. Everyone was very disappointed with the defeat in Nottingham, but we have to regroup and be ready to perform against Sheffield.” – Todd Dutiaume (Head Coach, Fife Flyers)

“It’s a long bus trip today to Fife, and from the last time we were at their rink I know Fife will have a bad taste in their mouth and something to prove. The boys need to be ready to go from the off.” – Aaron Fox (Head Coach, Sheffield Steelers)