Sheffield Steelers host Manchester Storm on Wednesday as Group A qualification reaches a crucial stage. Sheffield have 12 points from nine games, and taking a point would secure their place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals. They can finish on 14 points with a regulation-time win.
Manchester have seven points from seven games and can still reach 13 by winning their final three fixtures. A regulation-time defeat in Sheffield would end their hopes of progressing. If they take a point from an overtime or shootout loss, they would remain mathematically in contention for third place, but would then need to win their remaining two games and have the tie-breakers go their way.
The Storm’s three-game Cup run continues with home matches against Coventry Blaze on Friday and Cardiff Devils on Sunday. Sheffield come into Wednesday’s game after beating Fife Flyers 6-3 in league play on Sunday, following a 1-0 Cup defeat in Cardiff the previous evening. Cardiff, Sheffield and Guildford Flames are all on 12 points; Sheffield have one game remaining.