The top two teams in Challenge Cup Group B meet on Wednesday as Fife Flyers host Belfast Giants at Fife Ice Arena. Belfast lead the group with 16 points from nine games, while Fife have nine points from eight matches.
Fife arrive after beating Glasgow Clan 4-1 away on Sunday, following a 4-3 home loss to Dundee Stars the previous evening. Belfast also won on Sunday, edging Manchester Storm 5-4 in overtime after letting a 4-1 lead slip. Patrick Guay scored the winner. The Giants had beaten Glasgow 4-1 in the Challenge Cup on Saturday.
Belfast have scored 38 goals in nine Cup games and conceded 12, both the best figures in the competition. Their powerplay has converted at 32.14%, and they have yet to concede a shorthanded goal. Fife have scored 23 goals in eight games and have an 85.71% penalty kill. They average 34.63 shots on goal per game, just below Belfast’s 35.33. The Giants have won eight of nine Cup fixtures; Fife have collected points in five of eight.