Tonight: 10 teams back in action

Photo: Scott Wiggins

It’s the second game in three nights for eight teams in action this Saturday night, while another two are back on the ice only 24 hours since their last game, as teams contest the reverse fixtures from Boxing Day and Friday night.

1900 Cardiff Devils vs. Guildford Flames

Still in pursuit of top spot and with games in hand, Cardiff welcome Guildford to the Viola Arena two points behind first place. Guildford dropped to fifth with the defeat two days ago and are now winless in two after having had their seven-game winning run ended; Cardiff have won three on the spin.

“It’ll be a good game, probably a bit less sluggish than the Boxing Day one, but we’ll have to go up a level if we’re going to be successful against Guildford again.” - Andrew Lord (Head Coach, Cardiff Devils)

“It’s a busy schedule for everyone at this stage of the season, but we know what to expect. Cardiff are solid in every department and it’s up to us to go in there with the same mindset as we did at home – ready to go.” – Paul Dixon (Head Coach, Guildford Flames)

1900 Coventry Blaze vs. Nottingham Panthers

A comeback win for the Panthers at home means Tim Wallace's side are now unbeaten in three games and the league’s best team over the past 15 games with 23 points from a possible 30. Coventry, despite losing a lead twice, have now picked up four points in their last three games which has helped them move back up to sixth. They can go two points behind Nottingham with a win tonight.

“It was disappointing to lose the extra point in Nottingham, but we have to keep rolling forward and on to the next game. Having the day off in between games will have benefitted us to rest a few bodies and be ready to go again.” – Danny Stewart (Head Coach, Coventry Blaze)

“We didn’t do a lot well in the first and second periods at home to Coventry, but came alive in the third. That’s exactly how we’ll need to play in Coventry.” – Tim Wallace (Head Coach, Nottingham Panthers)

1900 Glasgow Clan vs. Belfast Giants

24 hours after being beaten 5-1 by the Giants in Belfast, Glasgow are back on home ice hoping for revenge against the team from across the Irish sea.

Clan have a good home record against the Giants this season with two wins, one each in league and cup, leaving Belfast looking for their first win in Glasgow since November 2018. The Purple Army will be hoping to see their team disappointing run of form which has seen the side lose five straight in the league, and all bar two of 11 games in all competitions.

Belfast stayed inside the Top 3 with Friday night's win and are four points behind the league-leading Steelers with two games in hand.

“We did push back in Belfast but by that point we were a few goals down and it was too late. Hopefully, we are rested and recharged to come back at this team tonight in our own building.” – Zack Fitzgerald (Head Coach, Glasgow Clan)

“It will be a tough test going into Glasgow’s arena, but we’ve learned that there are no excuses in this league – everyone has to show up and do a job.” – Adam Keefe (Head Coach, Belfast Giants)

1900 Manchester Storm vs. Sheffield Steelers

Manchester will be looking for a response at home to Sheffield after the Steelers gave the Storm a 7-0 drubbing on Boxing Day.

The Storm have, however, got a good record against Sheffield at the Storm Shelter – the best the men in orange have managed in five visits this season was a draw in the Cup Quarter-Final, leaving them without a win in Altrincham since September 2018.

“I think if my players had had a choice, we’d have liked to have played this game immediately after the one in Sheffield and erase that memory. It was far from acceptable and we have to be better.” – Ryan Finnerty (Head Coach, Manchester Storm)

“We’re on a nice run at the moment, but we have to find a way to bottle it up and keep rolling. We’ve not had much success in Manchester this season but know what it takes to get something there.” – Aaron Fox (Head Coach, Sheffield Steelers)

1915 Fife Flyers vs. Dundee Stars

Scottish pride is again on the line when Fife and Dundee clash, this time in Kirkcaldy.

Dundee got their first home win against the Flyers on Boxing day with a three-goal victory; now they go to a rink where they’ve won both games already this season. Fife’s home form of late has been worrying with the Flyers on a run of four straight losses and only four wins in the last 15 games in all competitions. Dundee, by contrast, are the league’s worst road team having collected only four points in 12 games and losing their last three. One of these unwanted streaks will end tonight. 

“We have a chance at revenge in our own building after the defeat in Dundee on Boxing Day, but if that’s to happen it will take a considerably better effort form our players.” – Todd Dutiaume (Head Coach, Fife Flyers)

“Wednesday was step one in the huge mountain we have to climb, but we started with a good performance. If we can build confidence from that win we’ll have a good chance in Fife. The Flyers are a good side but hopefully we can have the same result.” – Omar Pacha (Head Coach, Dundee Stars)