Manchester Storm host Nottingham Panthers at 19:30 on Saturday in their second Challenge Cup meeting of the season. Nottingham won the previous encounter. The fixture was originally scheduled for the opening weekend and was rearranged.
Nottingham arrive after a four-point weekend, beating Coventry Blaze 4-3 at home and Guildford Flames 6-3 away. Manchester won in Dundee on Wednesday, recovering from a two-goal deficit in the third period to beat Dundee Stars 4-3 in overtime.
Nottingham are second in Challenge Cup Group A with seven points from six games, one behind leaders Sheffield Steelers. Manchester have five points from four games, two behind Nottingham, but have played two fewer games. Their scoring rates are similar: Manchester have 14 goals in four games, while Nottingham average 3.33 goals per game.
Nottingham have the stronger powerplay, converting 30.77% of their opportunities to Manchester’s 16.67%. Manchester have the better penalty kill, at 83.33% compared with Nottingham’s 58.33%.