2023–24 EIHL season

Sports season

2023–24 EIHL season

League| Elite Ice Hockey League
Sport| Ice hockey
Duration|

* 22 September 2023 – 21 April 2024

Number of matches| 330
Number of teams| 10
Total attendance| 1,133,816
Average attendance| 3,532
Regular season
Season champions| Sheffield Steelers
Season MVP| Matt Greenfield (Sheffield Steelers)
Top scorer|

* Mitchell Balmas (Sheffield Steelers)
* (66 points)

Challenge Cup
Winners| Sheffield Steelers
Runners-up| Guildford Flames
Playoffs
Champions| Sheffield Steelers
Runners-up| Belfast Giants
EIHL seasons

← 2022–23

2024–25 →

The 2023–24 EIHL season was the 20th anniversary season of the Elite Ice Hockey League. The regular season commenced on 23 September 2023, and the final match day was on 7 April 2024; the playoff quarter-finals were held over the weekend of 14 April and the Playoff final weekend was held the following weekend.[1]

The Sheffield Steelers won their sixth league title – and first since 2015–16[2] – having opened up an unassailable 14-point lead over the Cardiff Devils with a 7–3 victory over the Guildford Flames on 24 March 2024. The Steelers had also won the Challenge Cup 11 days earlier, beating the Flames 3–1 in the final.[3] The Steelers ultimately completed their first Grand Slam in the EIHL era, defeating the Belfast Giants 3–1 in the playoff final.[4]

The season was marred by the death of Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson during a Challenge Cup match between the Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers,[5] held on 28 October, at the Sheffield Arena.[6] Johnson had suffered a cut to his neck by the blade of a skate,[7] and received emergency treatment on the ice before being transferred to the Northern General Hospital, but died from his injuries.[6] The EIHL postponed all scheduled matches for the following day, 29 October,[8] and subsequent matches on 31 October and 1 November were also postponed.[9][10] Teams returned to action on 4 November, with the exception of Sheffield and Nottingham,[10] who returned to the ice a week and two weeks later.

## Teams[edit]

The same ten teams that competed in 2022–23 competed in the 2023–24 season.

Giants

Devils

Clan

Panthers

Stars

Flyers

Storm

Steelers

Blaze

Flames

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the EIHL 2023–24 teams

Team | City/Town | Arena | Capacity

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Belfast Giants |  Belfast | SSE Arena Belfast | 8,700
Cardiff Devils |  Cardiff | Vindico Arena | 3,088
Coventry Blaze |  Coventry | Coventry Skydome | 3,000
Dundee Stars |  Dundee | Dundee Ice Arena | 2,400
Fife Flyers |  Kirkcaldy | Fife Ice Arena | 3,525
Glasgow Clan |  Glasgow | Braehead Arena | 4,000
Guildford Flames |  Guildford | Guildford Spectrum | 2,001
Manchester Storm |  Altrincham | Altrincham Ice Dome | 2,351
Nottingham Panthers |  Nottingham | Motorpoint Arena Nottingham | 7,500
Sheffield Steelers |  Sheffield | Utilita Arena Sheffield | 9,300

## Regular season[edit]

### League standings[edit]

Each team played 54 games, playing each of the other nine teams six times: three times on home ice, and three times away from home.[11] Points were awarded for each game, where two points were awarded for all victories, regardless of whether it was in regulation time or after overtime or game-winning shots. One point was awarded for losing in overtime or game-winning shots, and zero points for losing in regulation time. At the end of the regular season, the team that finished with the most points was crowned the league champion, and qualified for the 2024–25 Champions Hockey League. The top eight teams qualified for the playoffs.

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

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1  | Sheffield Steelers (C) | 54  | 39  | 6  | 1  | 8  | 228  | 113  | +115  | 91  | Regular season champions
Qualification to playoffs
2  | Cardiff Devils | 54  | 30  | 7  | 3  | 14  | 210  | 151  | +59  | 77  | Qualification to playoffs
3  | Belfast Giants | 54  | 28  | 4  | 7  | 15  | 182  | 147  | +35  | 71
4  | Manchester Storm | 54  | 19  | 8  | 7  | 20  | 142  | 154  | −12  | 61
5  | Guildford Flames | 54  | 17  | 7  | 10  | 20  | 160  | 165  | −5  | 58
6  | Coventry Blaze | 54  | 11  | 12  | 6  | 25  | 147  | 185  | −38  | 52
7  | Dundee Stars | 54  | 16  | 6  | 7  | 25  | 169  | 198  | −29  | 51
8  | Fife Flyers | 54  | 14  | 6  | 11  | 23  | 166  | 202  | −36  | 51
9  | Nottingham Panthers | 54  | 15  | 6  | 8  | 25  | 165  | 195  | −30  | 50  |
10  | Glasgow Clan | 54  | 10  | 9  | 11  | 24  | 175  | 234  | −59  | 49

Source: Elite League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Games won in regulation time; 3) Number of games won; 4) Head-to-head results, ranked by criteria 1 to 3; 5) Fewest regulation losses; 6) Away game results, ranked by criteria 1 to 3; 7) Goals scored; 8) Goal difference; 9) Fewest penalty minutes; 10) Drawing of lots.
(C) Champion

### Statistics[edit]

#### Scoring leaders[edit]

The following players led the league in points, at the conclusion of the regular season.[12] If two or more skaters are tied (i.e. same number of points, goals and played games), all of the tied skaters are shown.

Player  | Team  | GP | G | A | Pts | +/– | PIM

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Mitchell Balmas | Sheffield Steelers | 54  | 23  | 43  | 66  | +23  | 8
Troy Lajeunesse | Fife Flyers | 52  | 28  | 32  | 60  | +1  | 26
Ryan Valentini | Dundee Stars | 53  | 27  | 33  | 60  | –11  | 18
Spencer Naas | Dundee Stars | 54  | 32  | 27  | 59  | +1  | 2
Cole Sanford | Cardiff Devils | 54  | 29  | 29  | 58  | +13  | 56
Patrick Watling | Sheffield Steelers | 53  | 22  | 36  | 58  | +27  | 16
Gary Haden | Glasgow Clan | 54  | 27  | 29  | 56  | –25  | 30
Marcus Crawford | Cardiff Devils | 54  | 4  | 51  | 55  | +25  | 70
Marc-Olivier Vallerand | Sheffield Steelers | 49  | 24  | 29  | 53  | +27  | 38
Kyle Osterberg | Fife Flyers | 47  | 22  | 31  | 53  | +2  | 28

#### Leading goaltenders[edit]

The following goaltenders led the league in goals against average, provided that they have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, at the conclusion of the regular season.[13]

Player  | Team(s)  | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | SO | SV% | GAA

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Matt Greenfield | Sheffield Steelers | 47  | 2826:00  | 38  | 9  | 91  | 8  | 92.96%  | 1.93
Eamon McAdam | Guildford Flames | 30  | 1794:44  | 14  | 15  | 75  | 2  | 91.88%  | 2.51
Evan Weninger | Manchester Storm | 47  | 2795:17  | 23  | 23  | 118  | 3  | 92.93%  | 2.53
Ben Bowns | Cardiff Devils | 38  | 2257:12  | 25  | 12  | 97  | 5  | 92.38%  | 2.58
Tyler Beskorowany | Belfast Giants | 36  | 2049:28  | 21  | 14  | 96  | 1  | 89.39%  | 2.81

## Playoffs[edit]

### Bracket[edit]

In the two-legged quarter-finals, the highest-ranked team met the lowest-ranked team, the second-highest-ranked team met the second-lowest-ranked team and so forth. The winners of each tie was determined by aggregate scoring over the two games. In the semi-finals, the highest remaining seed was matched against the lowest remaining seed, with the other two teams facing off. The winners of the semi-finals progressed to the Final, with the losers playing in the third-place match.

| Quarter-finals
(12–14 April) | | | Semi-finals
(20 April) | | | Final
(21 April) |

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|  |  |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 1 | Sheffield Steelers | 9 | 4 | 13 | | |
| 8 | Fife Flyers | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| | 1 | Sheffield Steelers | 6 |
|  |
| | | 5 | Guildford Flames | 3 |
| 2 | Cardiff Devils | 4 | 3 | 7 |

| 7 | Dundee Stars | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| | 1 | Sheffield Steelers | 3 |
| (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) |
| | | 3 | Belfast Giants | 1 |
| 3 | Belfast Giants | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| 6 | Coventry Blaze | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| | 2 | Cardiff Devils | 1 | | | Third place
|  |
| | | 3 | Belfast Giants | 2 |
| 4 | Manchester Storm | 1 | 0 | 1 | | | 2 | Cardiff Devils | 7

| 5 | Guildford Flames | 5 | 4 | 9 | | | 5 | Guildford Flames | 5

### Quarter-finals[edit]

The quarter-final schedule was announced on 7 April 2024, following the conclusion of the final-day regular season matches.[14]

#### (1) Sheffield Steelers vs. (8) Fife Flyers[edit]

12 April 2024  | Sheffield Steelers |  | 9–4 |  | Fife Flyers  | IceSheffield | Recap |

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Mitchell Balmas (1) – 10:40  | First period | 17:14 – Troy Lajeunesse (1)

* Cole Shudra (1) – 2:58
* Mitchell Balmas (2) – 4:18
* Cole Shudra (2) – 11:04
* Sam Jones (1) – 14:57

| Second period | 9:33 – Max Humitz (1)

* Brandon Whistle (1) – 1:42
* Mikko Juusola (1) – 2:55
* Marc-Olivier Vallerand (1) – 10:36
* Brett Neumann (1) – 17:47

| Third period |

* 8:17 – Max Humitz (2)
* 17:20 – Collin Shirley (1)

Matt Greenfield (22 shots / 18 saves)  | Goalie stats | Shane Owen (35 shots / 26 saves)
14 April 2024  | Fife Flyers  |  | 1–4 |  | Sheffield Steelers | Fife Ice Arena | Recap |

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No scoring | First period |

* 13:44 – Kevin Tansey (1)
* 19:44 – Mikko Juusola (2)

No scoring | Second period | 9:24 – Marc-Olivier Vallerand (1)
Collin Shirley (2) – 14:27  | Third period | 19:12 – Brett Neumann (2)
Shane Owen (40 shots / 36 saves)  | Goalie stats | Anthony Morrone (32 shots / 31 saves)
Sheffield Steelers win 13–5 on aggregate. |

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#### (2) Cardiff Devils vs. (7) Dundee Stars[edit]

13 April 2024  | Cardiff Devils |  | 4–2 |  | Dundee Stars  | Ice Arena Wales | Recap |

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Sam Duggan (1) – 17:37  | First period | No scoring

* Tyler Busch (1) – 1:27
* Bode Wilde (1; PPG) – 13:13

| Second period |

* 0:54 – Ryan Valentini (1)
* 6:16 – Jake Elmer (1)

Tyler Busch (2) – 1:40  | Third period | No scoring
Ben Bowns (28 shots / 26 saves)  | Goalie stats | Lucas Brine (33 shots / 29 saves)
14 April 2024  | Dundee Stars  |  | 2–3 |  | Cardiff Devils | Dundee Ice Arena | Recap |

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Spencer Naas (1) – 3:11  | First period | 6:09 – Jamie Arniel (1)
No scoring | Second period | 19:21 – Justin Crandall (1)
Drydn Dow (1; PPG) – 18:14  | Third period | 1:27 – Jamie Arniel (2; SHG)
Lucas Brine (28 shots / 25 saves)  | Goalie stats | Ben Bowns (52 shots / 50 saves)
Cardiff Devils win 7–4 on aggregate. |

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#### (3) Belfast Giants vs. (6) Coventry Blaze[edit]

13 April 2024  | Belfast Giants |  | 2–1 |  | Coventry Blaze  | SSE Arena Belfast | Recap |

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No scoring | First period | No scoring

* Oliver Cooper (1) – 0:19
* Ben Lake (1; PPG) – 11:28

| Second period | 4:58 – Mitch Cook (1; PPG)
No scoring | Third period | No scoring
Jackson Whistle (24 shots / 23 saves)  | Goalie stats | Taran Kozun (36 shots / 34 saves)
14 April 2024  | Coventry Blaze  |  | 1–1  |  | Belfast Giants  | Coventry Skydome | Recap |

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No scoring | First period | No scoring
No scoring | Second period | 6:43 – Daniel Tedesco (1)
Danny Kristo (1; EA) – 19:59  | Third period | No scoring
Taran Kozun (22 shots / 21 saves)  | Goalie stats | Jackson Whistle (18 shots / 17 saves)
Belfast Giants win 3–2 on aggregate. |

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#### (4) Manchester Storm vs. (5) Guildford Flames[edit]

13 April 2024  | Manchester Storm  |  | 1–5 |  | Guildford Flames | Altrincham Ice Dome | Recap |

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No scoring | First period |

* 5:28 – Ryan Hughes (1; PPG)
* 8:48 – Matt Tugnutt (1)

No scoring | Second period |

* 1:59 – Steven McParland (1)
* 16:50 – Bradley Lalonde (1; PPG)

Mitchell Martan (1) – 7:51  | Third period | 2:08 – Ryan Tait (1)
Evan Weninger (34 shots / 29 saves)  | Goalie stats | Taz Burman (37 shots / 36 saves)
14 April 2024  | Guildford Flames |  | 4–0 |  | Manchester Storm  | Guildford Spectrum | Recap |

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Nicolas Ouellet (1) – 0:16  | First period | No scoring

* Ryan Tait (2) – 5:42
* Bradley Lalonde (2) – 8:13

| Second period | No scoring
Ryan Tait (3; PPG) – 7:51  | Third period | No scoring
Taz Burman (20 shots / 20 saves)  | Goalie stats | Evan Weninger (47 shots / 43 saves)
Guildford Flames win 9–1 on aggregate. |

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### Semi-finals[edit]

Following the conclusion of the quarter-final matchups, the schedule for the Finals weekend was confirmed.

20 April 2024
15:00| Sheffield Steelers| 6–3
(1–0, 0–1, 5–2)| Guildford Flames| Nottingham Arena

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Game reference

| Matt Greenfield| Goalies| Taz Burman| Referees:
Chris Wells
Andy Dalton
Linesmen:
Ilia Kisil
Andrew Cook
| Josh Nicholls (1; PPG) – 19:42| 1–0|

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| 1–1| 28:10 – Jordan Klimek (1)
| 1–2| 43:21 – Matt Alvaro (1)
Brien Diffley (1) – 44:36| 2–2|
Mitchell Balmas (3) – 49:37| 3–2|
| 3–3| 52:35 – Steven McParland (2)
Brandon Whistle (2) – 54:26| 4–3|
Daniel Ciampini (1) – 55:45| 5–3|
Scott Allen (1; ENG) – 59:00| 6–3|
8 min| Penalties| 8 min
40| Shots| 25

* * *

20 April 2024
19:00| Cardiff Devils| 1–2 (OT)
(0–0, 0–1, 1–0, 0–1)| Belfast Giants| Nottingham Arena

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Game reference

| Ben Bowns| Goalies| Jackson Whistle| Referees:
Tom Pering
David Good
Linesmen:
Danny Beresford
Scott Rodger
| | 0–1| 38:57 – Blake Speers (1)

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Cody Donaghey (1; PPG) – 56:44| 1–1|
| 1–2| 68:05 – Greg Printz (1)
4 min| Penalties| 6 min
21| Shots| 36

### Third-place match[edit]

21 April 2024
13:00| Cardiff Devils| 7–5
(1–1, 4–1, 2–3)| Guildford Flames| Nottingham Arena

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Game reference

| Tyler Wall| Goalies| Adam Long| Referees:
Dean Smith
Graham Rodger
Linesmen:
James Nelson
Lee Young
| Sam Duggan (2) – 11:22| 1–0|

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| 1–1| 15:48 – Nicolas Ouellet (2)
Cole Sanford – 21:48| 2–1|
Cole Ully – 22:13| 3–1|
| 3–2| 25:09 – Ryan Tait (4)
Tyler Busch (3) – 29:06| 4–2|
Cody Donaghey (2) – 33:54| 5–2|
Riley Brandt (1) – 44:46| 6–2|
| 6–3| 47:16 – Lewis Hook (1)
| 6–4| 49:33 – Nicolas Ouellet (3)
Joey Martin (1) – 55:28| 7–4|
| 7–5| 57:58 – Turner Ripplinger (1)
2 min| Penalties| 0 min
37| Shots| 35

### Final[edit]

21 April 2024
17:00| Sheffield Steelers| 3–1
(2–0, 0–1, 1–0)| Belfast Giants| Nottingham Arena

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Game reference

| Matt Greenfield| Goalies| Jackson Whistle| Referees:
Tom Pering
Andy Dalton
Linesmen:
Danny Beresford
Ilia Kisil
| Daniel Ciampini (2; PPG) – 15:49| 1–0|

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Mikko Juusola (3; PPG) – 16:24| 2–0|
| 2–1| 39:52 – Blake Speers (2; PPG)
Kevin Tansey (2; ENG) – 58:57| 3–1|
10 min| Penalties| 7 min
30| Shots| 30

### Statistics[edit]

#### Scoring leaders[edit]

The following players led the league in points, at the conclusion of the playoffs.[15] If two or more skaters are tied (i.e. same number of points, goals and played games), all of the tied skaters are shown.

Player  | Team  | GP | G | A | Pts | +/– | PIM

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Ryan Tait | Guildford Flames | 4  | 4  | 2  | 6  | +1  | 0
Mitchell Balmas | Sheffield Steelers | 4  | 3  | 3  | 6  | +2  | 0
Steven McParland | Guildford Flames | 4  | 3  | 2  | 5  | +5  | 0
Scott Allen | Sheffield Steelers | 4  | 1  | 4  | 5  | +6  | 2
Josh Nicholls | Sheffield Steelers | 4  | 1  | 4  | 5  | +3  | 0
Mikko Juusola | Sheffield Steelers | 4  | 3  | 1  | 4  | +3  | 2
Nicolas Ouellet | Guildford Flames | 4  | 3  | 1  | 4  | +3  | 2
Jamie Arniel | Cardiff Devils | 4  | 2  | 2  | 4  | 0  | 2
Daniel Ciampini | Sheffield Steelers | 4  | 2  | 2  | 4  | +3  | 4
Sam Jones | Sheffield Steelers | 4  | 1  | 3  | 4  | +4  | 0

#### Leading goaltenders[edit]

The following goaltenders led the league in goals against average, provided that they have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, at the conclusion of the playoffs.[16]

Player  | Team(s)  | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | SO | SV% | GAA

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Jackson Whistle | Belfast Giants | 4  | 246:22  | 2  | 1  | 5  | 0  | 94.57%  | 1.22
Taran Kozun | Coventry Blaze | 2  | 117:58  | 0  | 1  | 3  | 0  | 94.92%  | 1.53
Ben Bowns | Cardiff Devils | 3  | 188:05  | 2  | 1  | 6  | 0  | 94.83%  | 1.91
Taz Burman | Guildford Flames | 3  | 177:39  | 2  | 1  | 6  | 1  | 93.75%  | 2.03
Matt Greenfield | Sheffield Steelers | 3  | 180:00  | 3  | 0  | 8  | 0  | 89.61%  | 2.67

## Challenge Cup[edit]

The Challenge Cup was split into two stages: an initial group stage where the league's ten teams were divided into three groups based on geographical distance – one group of four teams (Group A) and two groups of three teams (Groups B and C). The three group winners, along with the five best remaining teams on win percentage qualified for the knockout stage. The quarter-finals and semi-finals were held over two legs, with a one-off final.[17]

### Group stage[edit]

#### Group A[edit]

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

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1  | Belfast Giants | 6  | 6  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 27  | 11  | +16  | 12  | Qualification to knockout stage
2  | Fife Flyers | 6  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 19  | 18  | +1  | 6
3  | Glasgow Clan | 6  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 15  | 21  | −6  | 4
4  | Dundee Stars | 6  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 5  | 15  | 26  | −11  | 2  |

Source: Elite League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Games won in regulation time; 3) Number of games won; 4) Head-to-head results, ranked by criteria 1 to 3; 5) Fewest regulation losses; 6) Away game results, ranked by criteria 1 to 3; 7) Goals scored; 8) Goal difference; 9) Fewest penalty minutes; 10) Drawing of lots.

#### Group B[edit]

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

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1  | Cardiff Devils | 8  | 6  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 36  | 22  | +14  | 12  | Qualification to knockout stage
2  | Guildford Flames | 8  | 3  | 1  | 0  | 4  | 26  | 31  | −5  | 8
3  | Coventry Blaze | 8  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 5  | 18  | 27  | −9  | 5

Source: Elite League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Games won in regulation time; 3) Number of games won; 4) Head-to-head results, ranked by criteria 1 to 3; 5) Fewest regulation losses; 6) Away game results, ranked by criteria 1 to 3; 7) Goals scored; 8) Goal difference; 9) Fewest penalty minutes; 10) Drawing of lots.

#### Group C[edit]

Following the death of Adam Johnson, the Nottingham Panthers withdrew from the Challenge Cup on 8 November 2023.[18] The game between the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham, which was being led 2–1 by Sheffield at the time of its abandonment, was not considered in the standings or for potential tie-breaking scenarios between Sheffield and the Belfast Giants.[19]

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

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1  | Sheffield Steelers | 6  | 6  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 30  | 8  | +22  | 12  | Qualification to knockout stage
2  | Manchester Storm | 6  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 5  | 16  | 28  | −12  | 2
3  | Nottingham Panthers | 4  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 9  | 19  | −10  | 2  | Withdrew from the competition

Source: Elite League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Games won in regulation time; 3) Number of games won; 4) Head-to-head results, ranked by criteria 1 to 3; 5) Fewest regulation losses; 6) Away game results, ranked by criteria 1 to 3; 7) Goals scored; 8) Goal difference; 9) Fewest penalty minutes; 10) Drawing of lots.

### Knockout stage[edit]

| Quarter-finals
(December 2023) | | | Semi-finals
(January & February 2024) | | | Final
(13 March 2024)[20] |

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|  |  |  |  |  | | |  |  |  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 1 | Sheffield Steelers | 5 | 5 | 10 | | |
| 8 | Manchester Storm | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| | 1 | Sheffield Steelers | 6 | 4 | 10 |
|  |
| | | 7 | Coventry Blaze | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Belfast Giants | 1 | 4 | 5 |

| 7 | Coventry Blaze | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| | 1 | Sheffield Steelers | 3 |
| (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) |
| | | 5 | Guildford Flames | 1 |
| 3 | Cardiff Devils | 4 | 1 | 5 | |

| 6 | Glasgow Clan | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| | 5 | Guildford Flames | 0 | 6 | 6 |
|  |
| | | 6 | Glasgow Clan | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Fife Flyers | 1 | 2 | 3 |

| 5 | Guildford Flames | 3 | 3 | 6 |

#### Quarter-finals[edit]

Following the conclusion of the league phase of the Challenge Cup, the quarter-final matchups (except for Belfast–Coventry) were determined on 29 November 2023.[21] The Belfast–Coventry game dates were confirmed two days later.[22]

##### (1) Sheffield Steelers vs. (8) Manchester Storm[edit]

7 December 2023  | Manchester Storm  |  | 1–5 |  | Sheffield Steelers | Altrincham Ice Dome | Recap |

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Michael Korol – 6:46  | First period | 19:59 – Robert Dowd (PPG)
No scoring | Second period |

* 2:27 – Scott Allen
* 4:22 – Marc-Olivier Vallerand (PPG)

No scoring | Third period |

* 6:59 – Patrick Watling
* 10:53 – Brandon Whistle

Evan Weninger (38 shots / 33 saves)  | Goalie stats | Anthony Morrone (38 shots / 37 saves)
20 December 2023  | Sheffield Steelers |  | 5–1 |  | Manchester Storm  | Sheffield Arena | Recap |

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* Cole Shudra – 11:46
* Mitchell Balmas (PPG) – 16:58
* Mitchell Balmas (2; PPG) – 17:59

| First period | No scoring
Brandon Whistle – 8:10  | Second period | No scoring
Brett Neumann (PPG) – 16:49  | Third period | 6:12 – Tyler Hinam
Anthony Morrone (27 shots / 26 saves)  | Goalie stats | Alex Oldale (39 shots / 34 saves)
Sheffield Steelers win 10–2 on aggregate. |

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##### (2) Belfast Giants vs. (7) Coventry Blaze[edit]

13 December 2023  | Coventry Blaze  |  | 1–1  |  | Belfast Giants  | Coventry Skydome | Recap |

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Kim Tallberg – 10:55  | First period | No scoring
No scoring | Second period | No scoring
No scoring | Third period | 2:45 – Matthew McLeod
Taran Kozun (32 shots / 31 saves)  | Goalie stats | Tyler Beskorowany (27 shots / 26 saves)
20 December 2023  | Belfast Giants  |  | 4–5 | SO | Coventry Blaze | SSE Arena | Recap |

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Ara Nazarian – 16:26  | First period | No scoring
Henrik Eriksson – 13:23  | Second period | No scoring

* Quinn Preston – 1:12
* Henrik Eriksson (2) – 3:42

| Third period |

* 5:52 – Kim Tallberg
* 11:01 – David Clements
* 11:41 – Alessio Luciani
* 13:18 – J. D. Dudek

* Quinn Preston
* Ben Lake
* Matthew McLeod
* Ciaran Long
* Daniel Tedesco

| Shootout |

* Kobe Roth
* Danny Kristo
* J. D. Dudek
* Ian McNulty
* Kim Tallberg

Tyler Beskorowany (17 shots / 13 saves)  | Goalie stats | Taran Kozun (40 shots / 36 saves)
Coventry Blaze win 6–5 on aggregate. |

|

##### (3) Cardiff Devils vs. (6) Glasgow Clan[edit]

6 December 2023  | Glasgow Clan  |  | 3–4 |  | Cardiff Devils | Braehead Arena | Recap |

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* Darien Craighead (PPG) – 8:05
* Michael Pelech (PPG) – 12:03
* Jake Bolton (PPG) – 15:59

| First period | 0:43 – Brandon Alderson
No scoring | Second period |

* 4:14 – Trevor Cox
* 11:32 – Brandon Alderson (2)

No scoring | Third period | 8:36 – Trevor Cox (2)
Antti Karjalainen (27 shots / 23 saves)  | Goalie stats | Tyler Wall (37 shots / 34 saves)
13 December 2023  | Cardiff Devils  |  | 1–3 |  | Glasgow Clan | Ice Arena Wales | Recap |

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No scoring | First period |

* 7:57 – Gary Haden
* 13:25 – Jake Bolton

Josh Waller – 7:41  | Second period | No scoring
No scoring | Third period | 2:01 – Darien Craighead
Ben Bowns (29 shots / 26 saves)  | Goalie stats | Jake Kielly (36 shots / 35 saves)
Glasgow Clan win 6–5 on aggregate. |

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##### (4) Fife Flyers vs. (5) Guildford Flames[edit]

6 December 2023  | Fife Flyers  |  | 1–3 |  | Guildford Flames | Fife Ice Arena | Recap |

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Max Humitz – 11:29  | First period |

* 3:37 – Peter Crinella
* 5:24 – Patrick Bajkov

No scoring | Second period | 15:26 – Peter Crinella (2)
No scoring | Third period | No scoring
Shane Owen (42 shots / 39 saves)  | Goalie stats | Eamon McAdam (27 shots / 26 saves)
13 December 2023  | Guildford Flames |  | 3–2 |  | Fife Flyers  | Guildford Spectrum | Recap |

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* Steven McParland (PPG) – 16:27
* Ryan Tait – 18:29

| First period | No scoring
Austin Glover – 13:00  | Second period | 14:15 – Kyle Osterberg
No scoring | Third period | 10:09 – Vitalijs Pavlovs (PPG)
Eamon McAdam (28 shots / 26 saves)  | Goalie stats | Shane Owen (38 shots / 35 saves)
Guildford Flames win 6–3 on aggregate. |

|

#### Semi-finals[edit]

The game dates for the Sheffield–Coventry matchup were confirmed on 21 December 2023, with the Guildford–Glasgow matchup dates not confirmed until 4 January 2024.[23][24]

##### (1) Sheffield Steelers vs. (7) Coventry Blaze[edit]

24 January 2024  | Coventry Blaze  |  | 0–6 |  | Sheffield Steelers | Coventry Skydome | Recap |

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No scoring | First period |

* 0:12 – Mark Simpson
* 2:06 – Robert Dowd
* 9:40 – Daniel Ciampini
* 12:42 – Scott Allen
* 16:17 – Patrick Watling

No scoring | Second period | 9:51 – Scott Allen (2)
No scoring | Third period | No scoring
Taran Kozun (32 shots / 26 saves)  | Goalie stats | Matt Greenfield (31 shots / 31 saves)
31 January 2024  | Sheffield Steelers |  | 4–1 |  | Coventry Blaze  | Sheffield Arena | Recap |

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* Sam Jones – 12:16
* Brien Diffley – 17:57

| First period | No scoring

* Robert Dowd – 9:34
* Mitchell Balmas – 19:02

| Second period | 14:39 – Danny Kristo
No scoring | Third period | No scoring
Anthony Morrone (14 shots / 13 saves)  | Goalie stats | Nolan Kent (32 shots / 28 saves)
Sheffield Steelers win 10–1 on aggregate. |

|

##### (5) Guildford Flames vs. (6) Glasgow Clan[edit]

20 January 2024  | Glasgow Clan  |  | 0–0  |  | Guildford Flames  | Braehead Arena | Recap |

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|

No scoring | First period | No scoring
No scoring | Second period | No scoring
No scoring | Third period | No scoring
Antti Karjalainen (19 shots / 19 saves)  | Goalie stats | Eamon McAdam (24 shots / 24 saves)
7 February 2024  | Guildford Flames |  | 6–3 |  | Glasgow Clan  | Guildford Spectrum | Recap |

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* Ryan Tait – 3:32
* Steven McParland – 6:33

| First period | 15:34 – Luke Lynch

* Ryan Tait (2) – 4:57
* Matt Tugnutt – 10:04

| Second period | 17:05 – Luke Lynch (2)

* Lewis Hook (PPG) – 6:58
* Peter Crinella (ENG) – 18:13

| Third period | 7:44 – Alex Roach
Eamon McAdam (30 shots / 27 saves)  | Goalie stats | Kevin Lindskoug (34 shots / 29 saves)
Guildford Flames win 6–3 on aggregate. |

|

#### Final[edit]

As number 1 seeds, the Sheffield Steelers hosted the final on 13 March, at Sheffield Arena.[20]

13 March 2024
19:30| Sheffield Steelers| 3–1
(2–1, 1–0, 0–0)| Guildford Flames| Sheffield Arena

|
|
|
|

Game reference

| Matt Greenfield| Goalies| Taz Burman| Referees:
Andy Dalton
David Good
Linesmen:
Danny Beresford
Ryan Fraley
| Brien Diffley – 2:00| 1–0|

|
|

| 1–1| 13:48 – Bradley Lalonde
Patrick Watling (PPG) – 19:41| 2–1|
Mitchell Balmas – 24:35| 3–1|
4 min| Penalties| 4 min
17| Shots| 35

### Statistics[edit]

#### Scoring leaders[edit]

The following players led the league in points, at the conclusion of the Challenge Cup.[25] If two or more skaters are tied (i.e. same number of points, goals and played games), all of the tied skaters are shown.

Player  | Team  | GP | G | A | Pts | +/– | PIM

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Mitchell Balmas | Sheffield Steelers | 12  | 6  | 11  | 17  | +7  | 4
Patrick Watling | Sheffield Steelers | 12  | 5  | 10  | 15  | +11  | 2
Ryan Tait | Guildford Flames | 13  | 9  | 5  | 14  | +3  | 2
Marc-Olivier Vallerand | Sheffield Steelers | 11  | 6  | 8  | 14  | +9  | 2
Daniel Ciampini | Sheffield Steelers | 12  | 4  | 9  | 13  | +7  | 10
Trevor Cox | Cardiff Devils | 10  | 6  | 6  | 12  | +8  | 4
Marcus Crawford | Cardiff Devils | 10  | 1  | 11  | 12  | +10  | 12
Peter Crinella | Guildford Flames | 13  | 8  | 3  | 11  | +3  | 4
Mark Cooper | Belfast Giants | 7  | 4  | 7  | 11  | +5  | 2
Mikko Juusola | Sheffield Steelers | 12  | 0  | 11  | 11  | +9  | 6

#### Leading goaltenders[edit]

The following goaltenders led the league in goals against average, provided that they have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, at the conclusion of the Challenge Cup.[26]

Player  | Team(s)  | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | SO | SV% | GAA

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Anthony Morrone | Sheffield Steelers | 8  | 453:47[a] | 8  | 0  | 11  | 0  | 94.47%  | 1.45
Tyler Beskorowany | Belfast Giants | 6  | 354:23  | 4  | 1  | 12  | 0  | 90.77%  | 2.03
Ben Bowns | Cardiff Devils | 6  | 342:27  | 4  | 2  | 13  | 1  | 92.40%  | 2.28
Eamon McAdam | Guildford Flames | 6  | 341:01  | 4  | 1  | 13  | 1  | 91.03%  | 2.29
Jake Kielly | Glasgow Clan | 6[b] | 329:45  | 3  | 2  | 13  | 1  | 92.74%  | 2.37

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ Morrone is credited by the EIHL as having played 20 minutes in the game against the Nottingham Panthers on 28 October, despite 33:47 having been played.[27]
2. ^ Kielly is credited by the EIHL as having played 5 games, with an appearance of 32:18 – in relief of Antti Karjalainen – against the Dundee Stars on 12 November missing.[28][29]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Gamecentre". EIHL. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
2. ^ "Steelers win 2023/24 Elite League title!". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. 24 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
3. ^ Harrison, Phil (13 March 2024). "Sheffield Steelers 3 Guildford Flames 1 - Steelers up and running as they secure first piece of silverware in Challenge Cup". The Yorkshire Post. Yorkshire Post Newspapers. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
4. ^ "Steelers complete season Grand Slam with play-off win". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
5. ^ "Adam Johnson: Nottingham Panthers forward dies after neck cut in Challenge Cup match". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
6. ^ a b "Adam Johnson: Nottingham Panthers player dies after 'freak accident' in ice hockey match against Sheffield Steelers". Sky Sports. Sky UK. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
7. ^ Morgan, Tom (29 October 2023). "Adam Johnson: Nottingham Panthers ice hockey player dies after throat cut by opponent's blade". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
8. ^ "EIHL Statement: Adam Johnson". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
9. ^ "Club Statement: Upcoming fixtures". Nottingham Panthers. Nottingham Panthers Limited. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
10. ^ a b "Adam Johnson: Elite League postpones midweek games after death of Nottingham Panthers forward". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
11. ^ "Elite League Info". Nottingham Panthers. Nottingham Panthers Limited. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
12. ^ "Statistics: Players - Elite Ice Hockey League 2023/2024". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
13. ^ "Statistics: Goalies - Elite Ice Hockey League 2023/2024". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
14. ^ "Line-up set for Playoff Quarter-Finals". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
15. ^ "Statistics: Players - Elite Ice Hockey League 2023/2024 - Playoffs". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
16. ^ "Statistics: Goalies - Elite Ice Hockey League 2023/2024 - Playoffs". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
17. ^ "2023/24 Challenge Cup Format". Elite Ice Hockey League. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
18. ^ "Eight-time winners Nottingham Panthers withdraw from Challenge Cup after Adam Johnson death". ITV News. ITV plc. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
19. ^ "Tie-breaking in the Challenge Cup". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
20. ^ a b "Challenge Cup Final on 13 March in Sheffield". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
21. ^ "Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals set". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
22. ^ "Challenge Cup Quarter Final Dates Confirmed". Coventry Blaze. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
23. ^ "Semi Final Dates Confirmed Vs Coventry Blaze". Sheffield Steelers. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
24. ^ "Flames vs. Clan Cup SFs scheduled". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
25. ^ "Statistics: Players - Challenge Cup 2023/2024". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
26. ^ "Statistics: Goalies - Challenge Cup 2023/2024". Elite Ice Hockey League. Pendulum Management. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
27. ^ The Nottingham Panthers [@PanthersIHC] (28 October 2023). "33:47 - The game is stopped for a bad injury. Steelers 2 Panthers 1" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 November 2023 - via Twitter.
28. ^ "Report: Dundee Stars 6 Glasgow Clan 2". Glasgow Clan. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023. "James Phelan then doubled Dundee's lead almost instantly with a slot drive and back hand finish before Jake Kielly replaced Karjalainen in the Clan net."
29. ^ "Dundee Stars 6:2 Glasgow Clan - Official Gamesheet". Elite Ice Hockey League. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.

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*[Pos]: Position
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Wins
*[OTW]: Won in overtime or shootout
*[OTL]: Lost in overtime or shootout
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*[GF]: Goals for
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*[GD]: Goal difference
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