Derby games set to end decade

Photo: Panthers Images

It's the final game day of this decade, and there are three derby games in the Elite League to see out 2019 with - including one live on FreeSports!

1400 Glasgow Clan vs. Fife Flyers

Scottish rivalries aside, this is a big game for Glasgow and Fife who will contest the reverse fixtures on Hogmanay. 

Clan are winless in their last seven league games in a row and have slipped down to seventh place. They also now have the worst penalty kill in the league (73.85%) and the second-worst powerplay (15.97%). With special teams playing an ever-increasing role as the season progresses, the purple army will be looking for improvement if they're to get back to winning ways.

Fife lost their Christmas games to Dundee meaning the Flyers' winless run was extended to three games - and just one win in their last seven. The team's PK is only marginally better than the Clan's, although a PP of 17.27% seems them the more potent of the teams tonight.

1600 Nottingham Panthers vs. Sheffield Steelers

Live on FreeSports from 1530, this classic Elite League rivalry has wider implications for the league title race as well.

If the Panthers can get two wins against their old rivals in the next two days then they could bring themselves back into serious contention for the league. Already six points behind the Steelers, albeit with a pair of games in hand, losses would give the Panthers possibly too much to do in the back half of the season.

Sheffield step on to the ice knowing again that a loss could see them knocked off the top by Cardiff. League leaders for most of the season, the Steelers have stayed two points clear of the Devils for some time but have still played several games more than the teams chasing them. However, for now, at least, they've continued to keep putting points on the board.

1630 Coventry Blaze vs. Cardiff Devils

Coventry earned two points from their Christmas series with Nottingham but came out on the losing side in both games where they let leads slip late on. The signs have however been encouraging for Danny Stewart, especially with new goalie CJ Motte who is saving above 90% of shots - since he joined, the Blaze haven't lost a game in regulation.

Cardiff got two narrow wins against Guildford over the Christmas period to cement their place chasing down Sheffield for top spot in the league. They do have games in hand on the Steelers, and have had the league's best points percentage for almost two months. The Skydome hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Devils in recent times, however - the end of last season aside, the Blaze won both games in the Challenge Cup before the Devils took a close win in the team's only league meeting in Coventry before tonight.