Following a four-point weekend with wins over Sheffield Steelers and Guildford Flames, the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze have put themselves in a strong position at the top of Challenge Cup Group A.
However, there is still plenty of work to do to gain qualification to the semi-finals of the competition.
Let’s take a look:
Current Standings
Remaining games
Coventry Blaze
- Sunday 12.10 (17:30) Coventry Blaze vs. Sheffield Steelers
- Wednesday 22.10 (19:00) Nottingham Panthers vs. Coventry Blaze
Cardiff Devils
- Sunday 19.10 (16:00) Sheffield Steelers vs. Cardiff Devils
- Sunday 02.11 (18:00) Guildford Flames vs. Cardiff Devils
Sheffield Steelers
- Sunday 12.10 (17:30) Coventry Blaze vs. Sheffield Steelers
- Sunday 19.10 (16:00) Sheffield Steelers vs. Cardiff Devils
- Sunday 26.10 (17:30) Manchester Storm vs. Sheffield Steelers
Nottingham Panthers
- Wednesday 22.10 (19:00) Nottingham Panthers vs. Coventry Blaze
Manchester Storm
- Friday 17.10 (19:30) Manchester Storm vs. Guildford Flames
- Saturday 18.10 (18:00) Guildford Flames vs. Manchester Storm
- Sunday 26.10 (17:30) Manchester Storm vs. Sheffield Steelers
Guildford Flames
- Friday 17.10 (19:30) Manchester Storm vs. Guildford Flames
- Saturday 18.10 (18:00) Guildford Flames vs. Manchester Storm
- Sunday 02.11 (18:00) Guildford Flames vs. Cardiff Devils
Format and Tie-Breaking Criteria
The winners and runners up in Group A, will go directly into the Semi-finals.
The Third-placed team in Group A, will face the Runners-Up in Group B in a special ‘play-in’ round to decide the final place in the Semi-Finals.
The winner of Group B will also go directly into the Semi-finals.
The Group B standings currently look like this:
In the event of teams being equal on points in the group, or for the same position based on their points percentage, the following criteria will decide the final group ranking. Where teams have not played an equal amount of games but are tied on points percentage, the below criteria shall be applied as the percentage of each criteria, rather than the total:
i. Total number of points.
ii. Total number of games won in regulation time.
iii. Total number of all games won (regulation, overtime and penalties).
iv. The results of games played between the relevant teams by applying points won, games won in regulation time, all games won (regulation time/overtime/penalties), in that order of priority.
v. Fewest regulation losses.
vi. Using away games: – points won, games won in regulation time, all games won (regulation time/overtime/penalties), in that order of priority.
vii. Goals scored.
viii. Goal Difference
ix. Fewest Penalty Minutes (Fair Play)
x. In the unlikely event of teams still being equal, teams will be ranked by the drawing of lots. Any prize monies determined by the position in a league or group by this means will be shared equally by the tying teams.
xi. Where a group of two or more teams is tied, then whenever a team can be eliminated due to the above order of priority, it shall be, by applying each of the above stages in order of such priority.
Knockout Stages
For the benefit of seedings, teams are ranked according to their overall point percentage.
The ‘Play In’ game between the team placed third in Group A and second in Group B will be a one-off game, played at the home rink of the team with the higher points percentage.
The Semi-Finals are drawn according to the win percentage of the four teams.
All games in Semi-Finals are aggregate-scoring, home and away series. Overtime will only be played if the score is tied on aggregate after 60 minutes have been played in the return leg. In both stages, the option of home-ice advantage for the return leg will be given to the higher-seeded team.
Final
The Final will be held in March 2026. The highest seed has the option of home-ice advantage.
Support the Blaze on Sunday
The Blaze face the Steelers in their final home game of the group stage on Sunday (12 October) with a 5.30pm face-off.
Be there and show your support as we aim to continue our strong start to the season and earn qualification to the Cup Semi-Finals.
Or call the box office – 02476630693
