Two Challenge Cup games are scheduled for Friday, with Glasgow Clan hosting Dundee Stars in Group B and Manchester Storm welcoming Coventry Blaze in Group A. Glasgow and Dundee are both chasing the group’s remaining qualification place. Belfast Giants have already secured top spot and direct qualification for the Semi-Finals, while second place would earn a Play-In against the third-placed team from Group A.
Fife Flyers are second with 11 points from nine games, ahead of Glasgow on eight and Dundee on seven. All three have three group fixtures left. Friday will be new Glasgow coach Jack Skille’s first game in charge. Dundee have won both previous meetings this season: 5-3 at home, then 6-5 in overtime in Glasgow after coming back from two goals down.
Manchester and Coventry each have seven points. Manchester have played eight games, one fewer than Coventry, and return home after a 5-2 defeat in Sheffield on Wednesday. Manchester won the teams’ earlier Challenge Cup meeting 5-3 at the Skydome. They finish their cup campaign against Cardiff Devils on Sunday; Coventry face Sheffield in a league game this weekend.