We now know the semifinalists of the EIHL’s 2022-23 Challenge Cup after a selection of thrilling quarterfinals. Semifinals will take place over 2 legs with one side of the competition having legs on 18 January and 25 January and the other side on 25 January and 15 February. The date for the final is yet to be confirmed but will take place in March.
At the semifinal stage, the highest-ranked team left in the competition will play the lowest-ranked, while the second highest-ranked will play the second lowest-ranked meaning the fixtures are as follows:
- Guildford Flames v Belfast Giants · 18 Jan 2023 (Guildford Spectrum, Guildford)
- Belfast Giants v Guildford Flames · 25 Jan 2023 (SSE Arena, Belfast)
- Fife Flyers v Sheffield Steelers · 25 Jan 2023 (Fife Ice Arena, Kirkaldy)
- Sheffield Steelers v Fife Flyers · 15 Feb 2023 (Utilita Arena, Sheffield)
Tickets are on sale for all of the fixtures except the Belfast Giants and Fife Flyers home legs. Prices for the Flames v Giants first leg start at GBP £11.50, while ticket sales begin later today for the 2nd leg. The Steelers v Flyers game at the Utilita Arena has tickets at a single price bracket (£8).
The Challenge Cup is a cup competition for ice hockey clubs in the elite league (Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)) in the United Kingdom. Along with the league title and the playoff championship, it is one of the 3 contests held by the Elite League each season. After the group stage saw Manchester Storm and Glasgow Clan knocked out, and we said goodbye to Dundee Stars, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, and Nottingham Panthers at the quarterfinals, it is now time for the semifinals.
Who will reach the Challenge Cup Final in March?! Last year, Belfast Giants lifted the trophy: will they go all the way again?