Week 7: Can Steelers take the next step in Europe?

Photo: Dean Woolley

Week 7 in the Elite Ice hockey League is going to be a big one on Wednesday night.

Sheffield Steelers play their final Champions Hockey League first phase game against Dynamo Pardubice with a foot already into the next round. With most teams playing on Tuesday night, the Steelers may have already qualified before they take to the ice. However, there are a certain combination of results which could see them needing to beat Czechs, or at least take points off them, to advance. Pardubice themselves may well be heading to Sheffield needing a win to get through.

Since the CHL began in 2014, only Nottingham Panthers have ever made it into the knock-out stages of the competition from the EIHL.

In domestic action, in-form Glasgow Clan host Coventry Blaze. The Clan won four straight before shootout loss in Belfast, while Blaze are the only unbeaten team in league play after a win over Sheffield.

Friday night sees Clan in Manchester, while in Cup action it's derby night in Scotland with Dundee hosting Fife.

There's a full schedule of games on Saturday night. Belfast are on home ice with Coventry the visitors, while Storm visit Cardiff. Dundee head south to Nottingham while Clan's third game of the week sees them in Sheffield. Fife complete the night with a home fixture against Guildford.

Sunday's schedule brings three games. The Panthers complete a double-header of home games with Belfast the visitors, while Coventry's third fixture of the week sees them entertain Cardiff. The week finishes with Guildford playing hosts to Sheffield.