EIHL Weekly Recap: Panthers Chase Steelers; as Giants Stumble

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We’ve reached the end of another thrilling week of ice hockey, where clubs battled for crucial points in the standings and edged closer to the title race. With an action-packed week ahead, we’ll provide previews of upcoming games and reviews of those we missed yesterday.

At the top of the table, the Nottingham Panthers delivered a dominant performance, winning both of their matches as they continued their pursuit of the Sheffield Steelers, who held a slim one-point lead going into the weekend. The Panthers showcased their strength with a commanding 4-1 victory over the Manchester Storm and an emphatic 9-3 win against the Fife Flyers.

However, despite their impressive form, the Steelers maintained their position at the top by also securing two wins—though in much tighter contests. On Saturday, they edged out the Guildford Flames 2-1 in overtime, and on Sunday, they battled past the Cardiff Devils 4-3 in a crucial game for both teams. As a result, the Steelers remain one point ahead of the Panthers.

The Belfast Giants had a challenging weekend fresh off their Challenge Cup victory. On Saturday, they faced the Fife Flyers in what many expected to be a comfortable win, but the Flyers pushed them to their limits. Despite not playing at their usual high standard, the Giants managed to escape with a narrow 4-3 victory. Sunday, however, brought disappointment as they fell to the Glasgow Clan in a penalty shootout. While they still earned a point, their lead at the top is now precarious at just two points, meaning a couple of losses could see them slip to third place.

Elsewhere, midweek action saw a thrilling encounter between Coventry Blaze and Manchester Storm. Blaze led 3-1 heading into the third period, but Storm staged a dramatic comeback, scoring three unanswered goals to win 4-3 in a remarkable turnaround.

Results from the Week

EIHL Challenge Cup Final:

Belfast Giants v Cardiff Devils – 4:0

EIHL League Games:

Coventry Blaze v Manchester Storm – 3:4Sheffield Steelers v Guildford Flames – 2:1 (OT)

Cardiff Devils v Dundee Stars – 7:3

Glasgow Clan v Coventry Blaze – 5:4

Manchester Storm v Nottingham Panthers – 1:4

Fife Flyers v Belfast Giants – 3:4

Nottingham Panthers v Fife Flyers – 9:3

Sheffield Steelers v Cardiff Devils – 4:3

Glasgow Clan v Belfast Giants – 2:1 (PEN)

Coventry Blaze v Manchester Storm – 2:4

Guildford Flames v Dundee Stars – 2:4

League Standings

Position Team Points Status

1st Belfast Giants 69 X

2nd Sheffield Steelers 67 X

3rd. Nottingham Panthers 66 X

4th Cardiff Devils 60 X

5th Coventry Blaze 54 X

6th Glasgow Clan 51

7th Guildford Flames 51

8th. Dundee Stars. 46

9th. Manchester Storm. 40

10th Fife Flyers 10 E

(X = Clinched playoff spot)

With just a few weeks remaining in the season, the title race remains wide open, and every point matters. Stay tuned for more updates and previews as we approach the final stretch!

Written by Calan Yule (ENC Owner & Writer)

(c) EIHL News Central