Elite Series format explained

With just over three weeks until the first competitive match of the 2021 Elite Series, the format has been announced.

All games will be played at Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, with training camps beginning at the end of March. Teams will play one exhibition game each.

Each team will play two “home” and two “away” games, while regular EIHL rules regarding overtime and shootouts will apply. Games begin on April 3, and are scheduled to run until April 25, with each team playing three games per week.

The final league standings will determine the play-offs, with the semi-finals set to be regular “home-and-away” aggregate scoring series.

The final is a best of three series, set to be played on April 30, May 1 and May 3.

Head of Hockey Operation Mike Hicks said: “We need the players, and especially the GB internationals, to be playing as many games as possible over this series.

“Giving them three competitive games a week, as well as ice for training sessions, should mean that we are able to hand the national team players over to Pete Russell in good shape.

“The addition of a ‘best of 3’ final series also will bring an added, exciting bonus to the end of this series. Everyone will be working very hard over the next 24 days to make sure we’re ready to go.”