COVENTRY BLAZE are preparing for their biggest weekend of the season as they face Cardiff Devils on Saturday (1pm face-off) at a sold-out National Ice Centre in Nottingham.
The Blaze advanced to playoff finals weekend following an 8-6 aggregate victory over Elite League champions Sheffield last weekend.
Drew Fisher was the Blaze hero scoring the series winning goal in the final period at the Sheffield Arena, before Russ Cowley tapped home an empty net goal to confirm Coventry’s place in Nottingham.
In doing so, Coventry became the first ever eighth seed to qualify for playoff finals weekend.
Their opponents, Cardiff, turned around a 2-4 home loss by defeating the Dundee Stars 4-1 at the second-leg in Scotland – advancing by an aggregate score of 6-5.
The Devils, who missed out on the Elite League championship by just two points, and also fell short in the Challenge Cup final to Nottingham, have the superior record in games against Coventry this season.
This will be the eleventh meeting between the two sides – with Cardiff having won eight of the ten.
Blaze did manage to win the last clash though with a 1-2 victory, spoiling the Devils last ever night in the Big Blue Tent.
Prior to Saturday’s crunch-clash, Blaze head coach Chuck Weber said: “We are prepared and looking to finish what we have started.
“I’m looking forward to it.
“It was a lot of fun last year and for me two years in this league and to go to Nottingham twice is a privilege.”
Should Coventry win Saturday’s semi final, they will then face either hosts Nottingham or Fife in a winner takes all final on Sunday at 4pm.
