Cardiff Devils will qualify for the Challenge Cup quarter-finals if they win against Coventry Blaze at Ice Arena Wales on Saturday.
This is a crunch clash for the holders, who won 3-2 against Blaze away in their last cup clash.
Head coach Andrew Lord is hoping two or three of his injured players – Patrick Asselin, Justin Faryna, Joey Haddad and Mark Richardson – will be fit to return.
They all missed both matches last weekend when Devils crashed 4-0 at Sheffield Steelers and then roared back with a 6-2 home win against Nottingham Panthers the following evening.
Former NHL defenceman Tyson Strachan will also be free of jet lag after a full week of practice, having had to go straight into this Elite League clashes against Steelers and Panthers soon after arriving.
Now Cardiff, who have played in the last three finals and won the trophy twice, face a crucial match against Blaze.
The final is being played at the IAW in Cardiff Bay early in the new year and Devils are intent on going through again.
Saturday’s big match is only the second time Devils and Blaze have played each other this season with Andrew Lord’s goal earning his team victory.
Tickets are still available for the match. They can be booked online (CLICK HERE), call 0800 0842 666 or book in person at the Arena reception.
While Devils prepare for their home match against Blaze and Sunday’s Elite League trip to Fife Flyers in Scotland, Sheffield Steelers have been hit by a six-match ban for star player Colton Fretter.
Elite League officials asked for an independent review of incidents during the Sheffield v Belfast match.
Former NHL linesman Lyle Seitz was used along with members of the Player Safety Committee, a global body established for overseeing player safety and discipline for a number of leagues throughout the hockey world.
Based on the independent review, the League have suspended Fretter for six games. His original suspension was one game.
Belfast’s Goulakos is suspended for two games instead of the initial three.
Those first decisions by the Elite League disciplinary committee resulted in uproar and condemnation around the league.
Seitz, along with the PSC, have agreed to look at EIHL incidents until the directors meet on November 8 to discuss their Department of Player Safety and Refereeing.
The EIHL have removed Simon Kirkham as head of DOPS with immediate effect.