Challenge Cup (UK Ice Hockey)
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The Challenge Cup is a competition for ice hockey clubs in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1997 as a cup competition of the Ice Hockey Superleague and has been contested by the members of the Elite Ice Hockey League since its launch in the Superleague's place in 2003. The current holders of the trophy are the Cardiff Devils.
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[edit] History
In 1997 Superleague officials reduced the league season to twenty-eight rounds in the hope of organising a European tournament. When this failed to materialise the league arranged a new cup competition to meet the shortfall in fixtures.[1] With the sponsorship of the Daily Express the Express Cup was launched. The trophy was won by the Ayr Scottish Eagles as part of their Grand Slam season.
The competition returned the following season under a new format the new name of the Challenge Cup. The trophy was won by the Sheffield Steelers who defeated arch rivals Nottingham Panthers 4-0 in the final in the first of three consecutive Challenge Cup titles. The Cup has been contested annually since with the Elite League retaining it as one of its competitions following its establishment in 2003. There have been regular changes in the format and finals since 2003 have been two-legged affairs with the team scoring the most goals over the two legs being declared the winner.
[edit] Winners
[edit] 1997-03: Superleague
| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-98 | Ayr Scottish Eagles | Bracknell Bees | 3-2 | Telewest Arena |
| 1998-99 | Sheffield Steelers | Nottingham Panthers | 4-0 | Sheffield Arena |
| 1999-00 | Sheffield Steelers | Nottingham Panthers | 2-1 | London Arena |
| 2000-01 | Sheffield Steelers | Ayr Scottish Eagles | 4-2 | Odyssey Arena |
| 2001-02 | Ayr Scottish Eagles | Belfast Giants | 5-0 | Odyssey Arena |
| 2002-03 | Sheffield Steelers | Nottingham Panthers | 3-2 | MEN Arena |
[edit] 2003-Present: Elite League
Cup winning team's score first.
| Year | Winner | Beaten Finalist | First Leg | Second Leg | Agg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | Nottingham Panthers | Sheffield Steelers | 1-1 | 3-2 after overtime |
4-3 |
| 2004-05 | Coventry Blaze | Cardiff Devils | 6-1 | 5-4 | 11-5 |
| 2005-06 | Cardiff Devils | Coventry Blaze | 0-3 | 4-1 after overtime |
4-4 Devils win on penalties |
| 2006-07 | Coventry Blaze | Sheffield Steelers | 4-3 | 5-1 | 9-4 |
