Saturday: Giants hoping for home CHL comforts

Photo: Alexander Pauli

If Belfast Giants are to stand any chance of making it into the last 16 in this season's Champions Hockey League, they'll be hoping home comforts prove invaluable as they return to the SSE Arena for their first home game of this season's competition.

The Giants were narrowly beaten in two of their three road fixtures, but a zero-point return leaves them 15th in the overall standings - however, they are only three points off a place in the next stage, with all three of their remaining games to be played in Belfast.

"HC Bolzano are a proud club, remaining the most successful team in the history of top-tier Italian ice hockey with 19 championships, explained Giants Head Coach Adam Keefe. "Their roster is full of top-quality players with a lot of experience and we look forward to facing off right here in Belfast."

Tonight's visitors are the only team ranked lower than the Giants. HC Bolzano, one of three Italian teams in the ICE Hockey League, have had a torrid start to the CHL with 17 goals conceded in three fixtures, and just four scored. The 2023 ICEHL Playoff Finalists also lot a midweek exhibition game to rivals Pustertal 6-1.

"I didn't know much about Belfast when the draw was made, but we've studied them after the last few weeks," added Head Coach Niklas Sundblad, who arrived in Bolzano this summer after previous coaching experience in the DEL and SHL. "The EIHL has been growing and developing over recent years, and the game they play is similar to the North American style."

Faceoff at the SSE Arena is at 7pm, with Viaplay holding the CHL broadcast rights in the UK.