As we head into the final couple of weeks of the regular season, we’re set for an exciting climax with much to play for before the end of the month.
While we’re looking at two different battles with the title race at the top between Belfast Giants and Cardiff Devils, we’re also engrossed in who, out of Manchester Storm, Dundee Stars and Coventry Blaze, will take the final play-off spot.
The truth is both battles are intertwined and as one reaches its dramatic conclusion, the other will follow suit with all five meeting each other at one stage.
As things, Cardiff Devils are top of the Elite League table with four games to go and four points ahead of Belfast Giants, who have a game in hand.
Both teams at the top will have to come against Manchester Storm this weekend, with Ryan Finnerty’s side looking to get back into top eight following Coventry’s midweek victory in Dundee.
They host the Giants on Friday then head to Cardiff on Saturday and irrespective of how these games finish, it could make the picture much clearer at both ends of the table,
Cardiff then head to Dundee Stars on Sunday for what will be the Stars’ final home game of the campaign and perhaps more desperate for these points because of the home factor.
Next midweek sees Coventry Blaze host Belfast Giants in a live televised game, which again, as the games run out, could have a massive bearing on the season’s outcomes.
Ryan Finnerty’s Manchester Storm take on title challengers Belfast Giants and Cardiff Devils this weekend (PHOTO: Scott Wiggins)
From there, the final weekend is littered with games where the possibilities are too great to mention, but the pick of the final weekend will see Belfast host Dundee on Saturday 30th March – their final game before sitting, perhaps nervously out, of the final night of action.
While that’s going on, Manchester and Coventry go head to head in what could be a shootout for that final eighth position so you have two games with the prospect of being decisive in every possible fashion.
Plus factor in a tricky visit to the Skydome for Cardiff Devils, if nothing has yet been decided on the final Sunday and we have quite the breathless end to the regular season.
FIXTURES TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Friday 22 March:
Manchester Storm vs Belfast Giants (7.30pm)
Saturday 23 March:
Cardiff Devils vs Manchester Storm (7pm)
Sunday 24 March:
Belfast Giants vs Sheffield Steelers (4pm)
Dundee Stars vs Cardiff Devils (5pm)
Guildford Flames vs Coventry Blaze (6pm)
Wednesday 27 March:
Coventry Blaze vs Belfast Giants (7.30pm)
Friday 29 March:
Belfast Giants vs Fife Flyers (7pm)
Saturday 30 March:
Belfast Giants vs Dundee Stars (7pm)
Manchester Storm vs Coventry Blaze (7pm)
Sunday 31 March:
Coventry Blaze vs Cardiff Devils (5.15pm)
Guildford Flames vs Dundee Stars (6pm)
