GUILDFORD FLAMES
Cardiff Devils (h) and Coventry Blaze (a)
Guildford reclaimed the lead at the top of the EIHL with a 4-2 win away to Sheffield on Saturday, then followed this up with a 6-4 win against Manchester in the Spectrum.
Guildford go into this weekend 3 clear at the top, although the Flames are coming off the back of a Challenge Cup Semi-Final tie against Belfast.
Guildford entertain Cardiff at home, on the back of a 5 game winning streak. The Flames last loss was against Cardiff on New Year's Eve. The sides have met 7 times this season with Guildford coming out on top on 4 occasions. Games between the Flames and Devils have been tightly contested with games being decided by 2 or less goals on 5 of the 7 occasions. This tie could have huge implications in the title race, as Guildford look to 'bring silverware to the leisure centre' and Cardiff look to win their first league title since 2016/17.
The Flames then make the trip to the Skydome in Coventry on Sunday. Guildford are 5-2 agains the Flames so far this season.
Guildford rank 3rd for offence in the league and 4th for defence. Majority of their games are tightly contested, with 1-2 goals being the usual winning margin. The only blowout game Guildford have been involved in was an 8-1 loss to Manchester over the Christmas period. This weekend looks to throw another two tight games Paul Dixon's way, and conceding 10 in their last 3 games is not a stat that will be looked upon favourably. Although, Guildford's quick offence has seen them post up 15 goals in the same amount of games. Daniel Tedesco leads the scoring for the Flames with 48 points in 32 games, and with the Flames offence record, there is no reason that Flames fans should not be feeling confident about this weekend.
SHEFFIELD STEELERS
Glasgow Clan (h) and Manchester Storm (a)
Sheffield were unable to capitalise on the opportunity to consolidate their position at the top with a loss at home to Guildford on Saturday. Sheffield now sit 3 points behind the Flames and 3 ahead of the Giants going into this game week. While Sheffield have a 'favourable' set of fixtures this weekend, all 4 points are crucial before the make the trip across the Irish Sea for a double header at the SSE Arena.
Sheffield welcome a struggling Clan side to the Utilita Arena on Saturday evening. The Steelers are 4-0 against the Clan so far this season with the smallest winning margin being by 3 goals. Although, while the points are not there for the Clan, their performances has improved significantly. So Sheffield can dismiss the Clan at their own peril.
On Sunday, Sheffield welcome the Manchester Storm to the Utilita Arena. The Steelers are 6-1 against the Storm so far this season with Sheffield's sole loss to the Manchester occurring at the Storm Shelter back in November. The Steelers look to sign off a home double header on good terms before the difficult trip across the Irish Sea for the crucial games agains the Belfast Giants.
Sheffield boast the best offence and defence in the league so far this season, and unlike Belfast and Guildford their points are spread more evenly through their squad. Although, the Steelers home form has let them down this season with Aaron Fox's side taking only 19 from a possible 30 points at home. Their away form is the best in the league with 31 from a possible 34 points taken. The trip to Manchester should be navigated with ease if the stats are anything to go by, although stats are irrelevant when playing on the small ice pad in Manchester. This weekend Sheffield look to capitalise an potential points dropped in the fallout of Guildford v Cardiff and Cardiff v Belfast.
BELFAST GIANTS
Cardiff Devils (a) and Nottingham Panthers (h)
Belfast will be on the back end of a semi-final tie against Guildford going into this weekend. 3 points behind Sheffield and 6 points behind Guildford, the Giants look to make up some ground before the crucial double header against Sheffield the following weekend in Belfast. After a removing door at the SSE Arena the Giants look for stability in the final 3 months of the season to retain their EIHL title to make it 3 in a row.
First up for Belfast is a trip to the Ice Arena Wales to face fierce rivals the Cardiff Devils. This will be the forth meeting in the EIHL this season between the two sides, with Belfast holding bragging rights with a 2-1 record. Belfast have already came to the IAW and took two points this season, although this time the points are crucial as the Giants look to nullify there spare game Cardiff have over them. The games have been tight this season with the exception of one blow-out 9-3 win for the Giants at the SSE Arena. The Giants should be looking to capitalise on what should be a leggy Cardiff side after playing a tough 3in3 weekend in the Continental Cup final.
The Giants the make the trip to the Motorpoint Arena to face Nottingham for the 4th time this Month. The Giants taking 2 wins and a shootout loss from the previous 3 meetings. The Giants may end up facing former goaltender Peyton Jones on Saturday as he looks to show the Giants what they are missing, although with the return of Tyler Beskorowany, the Giants hope that Besko can backstop them to another league title. Alex Dubeau played a blinder on Saturday evening in Belfast, although the Giants were wasteful in the opportunities they created. A win at the Motorpoint Arena is crucial going into the double header against Sheffield the following weekend.
With so much hockey left to play it is always difficult to call a 4 point weekend crucial, although with the fixtures the Giants have coming up the margin for error is slim as they hope to rise to the summit of the EIHL once again.
CARDIFF DEVILS
Belfast Giants (h) and Guildford Flames (a)
Cardiff are coming off the back of a difficult weekend in Angers for the Continental Cup final. The sleeping Giants of the EIHL, it is easy to look past them when discussing the possibility of a title race. With a game spare over the top 3, Cardiff sit just 1 point behind Belfast, 4 behind Sheffield and 7 behind Guildford. A 4 point weekend would put down a marker for Brodie Dupont's men, and sneak their way into the battle for the top spot of the EIHL.
Firstly, on Friday Cardiff see the visit of fierce rivals the Belfast Giants to a sold out Ice Arena Wales. The Devils have kept tight in 2 of the 3 previous meetings against the Giants but have only managed to take one win. Cardiff have enjoyed their home form agains the Giants in previous years, and boats the best home record in the league this season. Cardiff must take advantage of Belfast's attacking D-men to and use the pace of Waller and the clinical finishing of Reid to punish the Giants for any breakaways they gave up. A win would see Cardiff leapfrog the Giants with a game spare and cement their status in this season's title race.
After, what will be a fierce game against the Giants, the Devils then travel to the Spectrum to take on Guildford on Saturday evening. Cardiff and Guildford have had each others numbers this season with games difficult to call. They have met 7 times with Guildford taking 4 wins and Cardiff taking 3. Guildford will be off the back of a difficult semi-final tie to Belfast on Wednesday.
With the distractions of Challenge Cup off the table, and the Continental Cup over, Cardiff's sole focus remains on the EIHL. A 4 point weekend will lay down a statement of intent and blow the title fight wide open for all 4 teams involved, although if Sheffield can capitalise a 4 point weekend for Cardiff may benefit the Steelers more than anyone this weekend!
COVENTRY BLAZE
Fife Flyers (a) and Guildford Flames (h)
Coventry are stuck in a proverbial no-man's land in the league table, too far ahead ahead to be sucked into a battle for the final playoff places, and it's too much of an uphill battle to see them climb into the title fight. Although, that being said, with the fixtures they have left they certainly can have a say in both.
Firstly, the Blaze make the trip too Kirkcaldy to face the Flyers. The Blaze come off the back of a tight game against the Flyers which saw the score 0-0 after 65 minutes of Hockey. A strong performance from Holsa seen the Blaze take the win in the shootout. This will be the 5th meeting between the two sides, with Coventry coming out on top on 3 of the previous 4 meetings. The games have been tight, with only one game being decided by more than one goal. A win for Coventry would put a dent in Fife's hopes to make playoffs.
Coventry then welcome the Flames to the Skydome on Sunday. The Blaze hold a 2-5 record against the Flames so far this season, with their two wins coming at the Skydome. The Blaze can have a say on how the title picture looks after this weekend with a home win against Guildford. Each game has been high scoring between the two sides, although Holsa will be looking to draw on his performance of the weekend past to ensure the Blaze have the best chance possible to see of the Flames.
Coventry's position in the league is deceiving, they are an inform side- taking 9 points from their last 5 games. Danny Stewart has always ensure the Skydome is a difficult place to visit, and a 4 point weekend is definitely not off the cards this weekend.
NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS
Glasgow Clan (a) and Belfast Giants (h)
Nottingham sit in 6th Place, 14 points off the Blaze and 5th and only 8 clear of dropping out of a playoff spot. In what has been a less than stellar start to life in Nottingham for Omar Pacha, the arrival of a top quality goaltender in Peyton Jones should be enough to give Panther's fans something to get excited about.
On Friday the Panthers make the trip up to Braehead to take on the Glasgow Clan. The sides have met 3 times so far this season, with Panthers taking the win in all three games. However, in their sole trip to Braehead so far this season the Panthers did not have it all their own way. The Panthers managed to come out with 2 points after coming from 2 goals down to take the win in the shootout. While the Clan do not have the points to show for it, their performances have improved lately and should be in better shape this time to pose a bigger threat to the Panthers.
After the trip to Braehead, the Panthers return to the Motorpoint Arena to take on the Giants for the fourth time this month. The Panthers fell to the Giants on 2 of the 3 previous meetings, but came out victorious after a shootout in Belfast on Saturday. Alex Dubeau put in a might performance to prove his worth before the arrival of Peyton Jones. It is unclear who will get the nod in goal this time, although the Panthers must be stronger defensively and not rely on Belfast's lack of finishing if they want to come out with the 2 points this Saturday.
The Panthers have a bit of breathing space between them and the bottom three, although a strong weekend is crucial if they want to minimise the chances of getting caught in the crossfire of any potential dog-fight for the final playoff spaces.
MANCHESTER STORM
Dundee Stars (h) and Sheffield Steelers (a)
Matt Ginn has had an inconsistent run in his first season as head coach of the Manchester Storm. Their form has been patchy since as surprising 4 point weekend in Belfast back in early December, although Matt Ginn has been complementary of his team's performances. Last weekend seen a big third period fight back against the Guildford Flames, but ultimately fell short of taking anything back to Altrincham with them. Then they asked questions of the Steelers but again did not have enough in the tank to see of Aaron Fox's side.
This weekend sees Manchester welcome Dundee to the Storm Shelter in Altrincham. These two sides have only met twice this season with Dundee taking the points on both occasions. A win against Dundee would see Manchester go 5 points clear of Dundee with a game to spare as they look to right the wrong of last season for not making playoffs.
On Sunday, Manchester meet Sheffield again, although this time in the Utilita Arena. Manchester are yet to take anything from their away games against the Steelers, but Sheffield can write them off at their own peril.
Manchester's away form has been mediocre at best only taking 15 points from 15 games, although so far this season they have should they are not to be taken lightly with big wins of Belfast and Guildford on the road, Manchester are the epitome of on their day anyone can beat anyone.
DUNDEE STARS
Manchester Storm (a) and Fife Flyers (h)
Jeff Mason hasn’t had the easiest of starts to life as a head coach. Consistency is hard to come by and the goals are flooding past the defence and Svennson. Dundee have managed only 3 wins in their last 13. Yet, Dundee find themselves occupying the final playoff position.
On Saturday The Stars make the trip down to the Storm Shelter to play the storm. Notoriously one of the most difficult rinks to play in, Dundee will look to give them selves some breathing space over Glasgow who sit only 1 point behind. Dundee and Manchester have met only twice this season with Manchester taking two wins from two, albeit one after overtime.
On Sunday Dundee then return to the Dundee Ice Arena to face bottom of the table Fife. The two sides know each-other well meeting 8 times already this season in the cup and league. The games have been tightly contested with Dundee holding a light advantage on the H2H with a record of 4 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw. A win for Dundee is crucial as they only sit 2 points above Fife in the battle for the final playoff spot.
Dundee have the worst away form in the league, taking only 7 from a possible 36 points. A win on Saturday would take the pressure of the Stars going into the Flyers game on Sunday, although if previous meetings are to go by, Stars v Flyers is an unpredictable fixture.
GLASGOW CLAN
Nottingham Panthers (h) and Sheffield Steelers (a)
Glasgow's biggest achievement in the past few weeks is staying away from controversy and steadying the ship after what was a disastrous start to the season. December was a miserable month for the Clan and they have only one 3 of their last 15 games. Although, player-power seems to be working as Dixion fulfils the role of player/Head Coach.
On Friday Glasgow welcome the Panthers to Braehead. The Clan have not enjoyed their 3 meetings with the Panthers so far this season, losing all three fixtures. Although, the only meeting between the two-sides in Braehead saw the Clan take one point after a shootout loss. The Clan will look to avoid blowing a 2-goal lead this time around to try and come out with a desperately needed 2 points.
The Clan make the trip to Sheffield, somewhere the Glasgow side have struggled this season. The Clan have been humbled in all 4 meetings with the Steelers this season, conceding 22 and scoring only 6. Although, it has been over a month since their last meeting, since then Glasgow's performances have improved significantly, even if the points aren't there to show for it.
Having played two more games than Dundee but sit 1 point behind, capitalising on what could be a difficult weekend for the Stars is crucial for Glasgow. It is unfortunate though, for Clan fans, that they do not have a favourable set of fixtures to do this.
FIFE FLYERS
Coventry Blaze (h) and Dundee Stars (a)
Fife sit bottom of the EIHl with the worst home record in the league, although they still remain well in contention for the final playoff spot this season. A 2 or 3 point weekend for Fife would give the Flyers a solid push going into the business end of the season.
On Saturday the Flyers welcome the Blaze in a repeat of last weekend's stalemate at the Skydome, where the sides remained locked at 0-0 for 65 minutes. A solid goaltending display for Shane Owen is needed on the cards again this weekend if Fife want to take the full two points against Coventry. Owen was beaten by the puck only once in the meeting between these two sides last weekend, with that coming in the decisive shootout. Fife have not had it easy agains the Blaze, taking only 1 win from the previous 4 meetings of the sides. A favourable result is needed if the Flyers want to give themselves the best opportunity to leapfrog the Stars into 8th place on Sunday.
The Flyers then make the short trip to Dundee, in what could be a tie with big playoff implications. It is easy to say 'there is a lot of hockey left to play', although a win against the Stars would see Fife put themselves in the driving seat of that final playoff spot. The games have been tightly contested, with the Fife taking the points in their last meeting. With only one meeting left between the two sides after this fixture, Fife will want to ensure they are in control of their own destiny before the two sides meet again in April.
While Fife's form at home in the EIHL has been abysmal, their form on the road has been slightly better: 11 points from a possible 36. This is hardly playoff form. Fife has already took 2 points from the Dundee Ice Arena and proved only last weekend that they can hang with the Blaze. A 2-3 point weekend could see the Flyers gain the push they need going into the business end of the season. They performance in Coventry last weekend coupled with their record against Dundee should be enough to give the Flyers confidence they can have a positive weekend.