Tonight: Crucial cup clashes in Cardiff and Sheffield
Photo: James Assinder
Cardiff Devils and Sheffield Steelers host Premier Sports Challenge Cup games on Saturday night which both have a lot riding on them as teams look to qualify for the next round.
The Devils entertain Coventry at Ice Arena Wales knowing that a loss could mean they are eliminated from the cup in the group stage. With points percentage deciding places 4-8 (group winners are seeded automatically), a loss would put the Devils on 37.5% - and leave Manchester Storm with two games to try and beat that total. Coventry lead Group B by a point, but could also find themselves knocked off top spot if Cardiff were to win. With three group stage games still to play including tonight, the Blaze could mathematically still miss out on the Quarter-Finals if they failed to pick up any more points and Manchester won their remaining fixtures.
Click here to watch Devils vs. Blaze!
Sheffield Steelers have already qualified for the Quarter-Finals and secured top spot in Group C, but welcome rivals Nottingham to the Utilita Arena as the Panthers try to make sure they are in the next round. The maths for Nottingham is to stay on 50% points percentage, or better it - that will guarantee them a place in the knock-out stages. A loss here would leave them needing to beat Manchester in their final game to avoid dropping out altogether.
