2020 begins with 3 games

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It's a brand new decade but the small matter of the 2019/20 Elite Ice Hockey League continues this New Year's Day with three games tonight.

1600 Cardiff Devils vs. Coventry Blaze 

Less than 24 hours after the Devils won by the odd goal in seven at the Skydome, these sides meet again in Wales with another exciting encounter expected at a sold-out Viola Arena.

Coventry may have lost their last three games, but they've all been by a one-goal margin; in fact, since CJ Motte joined as the Blaze's new netminder they not lost by more.

"We just have to keep focussing on ourselves here and not worry about what else is going on in the league. Coventry has a quick and dangerous team, and will be out for revenge from yesterday in what was a tight game." - Andrew Lord (Head Coach, Cardiff Devils)

"We're doing a good job and have to hope that the guys' legs are still there today, they've shown they can do this before. We had so many positives yesterday, just the result was disappointing." - Danny Stewart (Head Coach, Coventry Blaze)

1600 Sheffield Steelers vs. Nottingham Panthers

Sheffield were the victors on FreeSports yesterday with a 3-2 win in Nottingham, but with Cardiff still breathing down their necks the men in orange will need another win to ensure they aren' knocked off top spot in the league.

The Panthers do have the potential to move up to level third if they can take two points, and they're also looking for their first win in Sheffield since March 2018.

1730 Manchester Storm vs. Guildford Flames

Neither Manchester nor Guildford have played since 28 December, but when they meet at the Storm Shelter tonight it will be the first clash in Altrincham between the teams this season.

Manchester are within three points of getting into the playoff places despite two losses to Sheffield over Christmas. Guildford took one point form their series with Cardiff and are just about clinging on to keeping up with the top four. They do however have three games in hand on Nottingham above them.

"We're obviously on a bit of a slide but anyone who looks back at our games can see we've been in most of the games. Guildford are a good team but we've played them well in their rink. The way we played against Sheffield is the way we have to play every night - we have to get pucks in deep and play on the edge." - Ryan Finnerty (Head Coach, Guildford Flames)

"We don't get ahead of ourselves and just worry about each game as it comes. There is no way now that you ever look at a fixture list and think you're guaranteed points here or there. We haven't been to Manchester this year and although it's a different game in their rink we have to get our systems ready to play there. When I've seen Manchester's games in the pre-scout, I think they've been really unlucky in some of their games. They have a good team." - Paul Dixon (Head Coach, Guildford Flames)