Challenge Cup (UK Ice Hockey)

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The Challenge Cup is a cup competition contested between members of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom. The cup was previously a competition for members of the now defunct Superleague.

[edit] History

The 1997-98 Superleague season was shortened by league officials who were hopeful that a competition could be organised between their clubs and clubs from European leagues. However, this plan never became reality and left the league with a large shortfall in fixtures. A new competition was hastily arranged with sponsorship from the Daily Express under the name of the Express Cup.

The tournament saw a single group comprising of all eight Superleague clubs facing each other one and home and once away. The top four would then take part in two-legged semi finals with the winners progressing to a single match final. The Express Cup was won by the Ayr Scottish Eagles who defeated the Bracknell Bees 3-2.

The idea of a fourth competition to be played alongside the Superleague, Play-Offs and Autumn Cup proved to be a popular one and the Cup returned the following season, this time known as the Challenge Cup. This time a separate table was formed from results in designated Superleague fixtures, again the top four would face each other in two-legged semi finals with the winners playing in an one-off game. The Sheffield Steelers defeated their arch rivals the Nottingham Panthers 4-0 to lift the cup for the first time.

The same format was retained for the 1999-00, 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons and was dominated by the Steelers who won the trophy on two occasions. The Ayr Scottish Eagles won the trophy in 2001-02.

In 2002-03, with the Superleague now reduced to seven members and the Autumn Cup competition no longer contested, an early season group stage for the Challenge Cup was announced. British National League team the Coventry Blaze were invited to take part. The group winners and runners-up would meet in one-off semi finals at the Sheffield Arena with the final taking place at the MEN Arena in Manchester. The competition was won by the Sheffield Steelers, defeating the Nottingham Panthers by 3 goals to 2.

The 2003 close season saw the Superleague fold. The Elite Ice Hockey League was established in its place and the Challenge Cup competition was retained. The format reverted to the format used previously in the Superleague with a table being formed from results in designated Elite League matches. The semi finals and final would each be played over two legs.

The final was won by the Nottingham Panthers, who after defeat in six previous finals against their great rivals, including three Challenge Cup finals finally defeated the Sheffield Steelers in a showpiece event 4-3 on aggregate. The second leg ended 2-2 (3-3 on aggregate) after regulation time. The Panthers won the Cup with a goal 53 seconds into overtime.

The same format was retained for the 2004-05 season and won by the Coventry Blaze as part of their Grand Slam season. The Blaze defeated the Cardiff Devils 11-5 on aggregate, winning their home leg 6-1.

Separate group stages were introduced for the 2005-07 season with the semi final and final format remaining the same. The final was repeat of the previous season's and looked to be having a similar result when the Blaze took a first leg 3-0 lead. The Devils however managed an incredible turn-around, winning the second leg 4-1 and defeating the Blaze on penalty shots.