And then, in the Elite League Playoffs, there were four. The Belfast Giants, Sheffield Steelers, Cardiff Devils, and Nottingham Panthers have advanced to the semi-finals, with the Guildford Flames, Coventry Blaze, Manchester Storm, and Glasgow Clan eliminated in round one.
The Panthers provided the only upset of the first round, defeating the second seeded Flames 7-6 over the course of a topsy-turvy home and away series.
Nottingham ran the table in the first leg, with Stephen Anderson, Adam Brady, Tanner Sorenson, and David Levin providing the goals in a shock 4-1 win.
Adam Brady, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Dean Woolley)
While Guildford attempted to fight back in the return fixture, they crashed out of the postseason despite racing to a 5-3 win on home ice.
Elsewhere, the Giants survived a near miss versus the Clan – who produced a valiant effort in a 7-6 defeat.
The Devils also triumphed despite losing the second leg of their quarter final clash, eliminating the Blaze 6-3 on aggregate.
The Steelers enjoyed the smoothest ride into Playoff Finals Weekend, beating the Storm 7-4 on aggregate despite starting the second leg tied at two apiece.
Analysis: Belfast Giants wobble as ‘Big Four’ advance to 2023 Playoff Finals Weekend
If you predicted that the big four would turn out to be the final four before the puck dropped on the season, your bet – somehow – just paid off.
The Nottingham Panthers recovered from their franchise worst regular season performance to upset the Guildford Flames in the first round of the playoffs – a result few predicted even last week!
The Sheffield Steelers bounced back from a disappointing run down the stretch to punch their ticket to Playoff Finals Weekend with relative ease, while the Cardiff Devils just about had enough in the tank to see off the threat of an upset versus Danny Stewart’s resurgent Coventry Blaze.
Danny Stewart, Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
But what about the Belfast Giants – who entered the postseason as league and cup champions?
They stuttered, badly, against the Glasgow Clan – a club battered by various crises this term – and advanced by a slender one-goal margin.
Will they respond at Playoff Finals Weekend? Possibly.
But there are worrying parallels from last season, when they were stunned in the final by the Devils.
Bottom line? We’re in for a thrilling week in the Elite League. Strap in and enjoy.
2023 Elite League Playoffs Schedule:
Saturday, 15 April 2023:
- 3pm: Belfast Giants .vs. Nottingham Panthers
- 7pm: Sheffield Steelers .vs. Cardiff Devils
Who will be crowned champions of the Elite League Playoffs? Join the conversation in the replies.
