Saturday: Defending Champions raising banner at home opener
Photo: Dean Woolley
For the first time time this season, the defending champions are on the ice for domestic competition after their successful exploits in the Champions Hockey League.
After three straight CHL wins, Sheffield Steelers are back in domestic action with the visit of Guildford Flames. The Steelers will be raising their Grand Slam banner celebrating last season's success, although you have to feel a little sorry for the Flames for being there when it happens - the team the Steelers beat in the Cup final, won against to secure the League title, and knocked out of the Playoffs in the Semi-Finals. Guildford have one win from their opening four games.
Click here to watch Steelers vs. Flames
Cardiff Devils entered competitive action last weekend, picking up wins over Glasgow (League) and Guildford (Cup) for a perfect start, and then extended that with a 5-1 win in Manchester on Friday. Their visitors on Saturday night are Fife Flyers, who lost to Manchester with 17 seconds left a week ago, and then picked up a point in Dundee with a shootout loss. The Flyers ended a lengthly winless run in the Vindico Arena with a victory in March of last season.
Click here to watch Devils vs. Flyers
Manchester Storm find themselves in Scotland for the second Saturday in a row, having played home on Friday night. Storm were beaten 5-1 by Cardiff last night, but came away from Fife last weekend with a 6-5 win. Dundee have won two straight on home ice after wins over Glasgow and Fife in the Cup, but tonight will be their first league action.
Click here to watch Stars vs. Storm
Danny Stewart will coach against the Coventry for the first time in nine seasons when the Panthers entertain the Blaze in Nottingham. On the opposing bench, Kevin Moore will be facing the team he was an assistant coach for last season. The Blaze made an excellent start to their season with a home win over Glasgow, while the Panthers entered competitive hockey with wins in both of their fixtures.
