Tonight: Places in the Challenge Cup Semis up for grabs

Photo: James Assinder

It's elimination hockey tonight in the Challenge Cup: six teams hit the ice looking for only three places in the Semi-Finals alongside Glasgow Clan. By the end of tonight, we'll not only know the full Semi-Final lineup but also the matchups for the next round.

1930 Cardiff Devils vs. Belfast Giants | Live on FreeSports (Agg.: 1-0)

Cardiff start their home leg against Belfast with the narrowest of advantages after the first leg a week ago.

Joey Martin's first period goal was the only one of the game in Belfast, however, the Giants have not lost at the Viola Arena this season. The Devils, who will host the final in Match, were knocked out of this competition in the Semi-Finals last season and had to look on as the Giants lifted the trophy. One of them drop out at this early stage tonight.

This game is live on FreeSports - join Aron Murphy and Paul Adey from 1900 for pre-match build-up.

"It's a shame this is a Quarter-Final, but this is a huge test for us. Belfast are a great team, and I think it'll be one of the better games of the year." - Andrew Lord (Head Coach, Cardiff Devils)

"I thought we played a good game in the first leg against Cardiff and out-worked them for large parts but just didn't score. We need the same again tonight, but when we get our looks we have to finish them." - Adam Keefe (Head Coach, Belfast Giants)

1930 Guildford Flames vs. Nottingham Panthers (Agg.: 1-5)

Guildford have the biggest take of all tonight as they try to overturn a four-goal aggregate deficit on home ice. A disastrous opening period seven days ago may ultimately turn out to be what costs the Flames who, in the league, have gone three weekends without losing.

Nottingham were beaten by Guildford in last season's competition in the Semi-Finals, but have the chance to get back to that stage again so long as they lose by no more than three in regulation. The last time they lost by that sort of margin was in October - in Guildford.

"We've put ourselves in a hole, but we're back on our own ice and the most important thing will be to get the first goal. After the first period last week it was quite an even game so we just have to make sure capitalise on our chances early to put Nottingham under some pressure." - Paul Dixon (Head Coach, Guildford Flames)

"We need to play this as if it's a 0-0 game. If we go in there thinking it's a 4-0 game that can easily bite us back so we have to play the same way we would any other game." - Tim Wallace (Head Coach, Nottingham Panthers)

1930 Manchester Storm vs. Sheffield Steelers (Agg.: 2-5)

Heading on the road with a three-goal advantage should be a decent cushion for Sheffield, but Manchester won't be thinking they're out of this tie yet.

The Storm have beaten the Steelers every time they've met at the Storm Shelter this season, and the Steelers have an unwanted record of no wins in Altrincham since September of last year.  Manchester have enjoyed three, four and one-goal winning margins against Sheffield in their three meetings this season and if they can use their own ice to their advantage again then it has the potential to be an uncomfortable night for the visitors.

Sunday's win in Nottingham will have given the hosts confidence, ending their run of five losses. Sheffield only played the one game over the weekend beasting Fife 6-2 at home.

"We're down by three but at the same time we've beaten Sheffield by three and four in our building. We're confident in our rink and we have enough motivations especially coming of what happened in the first leg." - Ryan Finnerty (Head Coach, Manchester Storm)

"It’s a help being 3-0 ahead, obviously, but, we know we can’t just turn up there and expect to win, or expect to advance. We know we haven’t won there yet this season, so we have no right to take anything for granted. It’s kind of like old-school hockey in a way playing in their building. You can’t be trying to make fancy plays around the outside and float pucks in. It is literally a case of heads down and drive the net." - Jonathan Phillips (Captain, Sheffield Steelers)

Overtime

If overtime is needed tonight because the scores are level on aggregate after 60 minutes, then it is played 3-on-3 for five minutes, sudden death. Should no winning goal be scored, a regular Elite League shootout will follow.