Ice hockey: Play-offs take on new format
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE Superleague play-off semi-finals take on an American-style best-of- three format for this season, but not the final itself.
Ayr Scottish Eagles and Cardiff Devils both topped their groups and have home advantage in the first game and the third, should it be required, for their matches with Manchester Storm and Sheffield Steelers respectively.
Ayr will start favourites as they aim to complete the grand slam of all four major domestic trophies, but will not have it all their own way against a Storm side who have won both of their previous two meetings.
Steelers, meanwhile, are in their fifth successive semi-final and aiming for their fourth straight play-off championship success, but first face a repeat of last season's last-four confrontation with Cardiff, which was then a one-off game.
SUPERLEAGUE SEMI-FINALS: 18 March Ayr Scottish Eagles v Manchester Storm (1930); Cardiff Devils v Sheffield Steelers (1900). 21 March: Manchester v Ayr (1830); Sheffield v Cardiff (1830). Game three (if required), 22 March: Ayr v Manchester (1930); Cardiff v Sheffield (1800).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments