This weekend, silverware is on the line across the regional NIHL divisions as eight teams prepare to do battle up and down the country. 

Over the next 48 hours, the top sides in each division will look to make their mark in the cup, with some facing familiar opposition in a repeat of last season’s finale, and others keen to become the latest name etched onto their respective trophy.

Below, we’ve compiled everything you need to know ahead of the weekend’s action.

NIHL North 1 – Moralee Cup

Revenge will be the buzzword for Billingham Stars, who will be looking to avenge a heavy cup final defeat at the hands of Blackburn Hawks last season.

The Hawks were commanding 21-6 winners on aggregate across the two legs, all-but-claiming the trophy after the first leg by winning 13-4 on home ice.

Can they do the same again this time around? It’ll be a tough ask, especially considering that Billingham are nine points clear of Blackburn in the NIHL North 1 league standings.

All four of their league meetings this season have gone the way of the home side, so which of these two will be able to use familiar surroundings to their advantage come the weekend?

Fixtures – Moralee Cup final

• Saturday 22nd February 6:00pm Blackburn Hawks vs Billingham Stars
• Sunday 23rd February 5:30pm Billingham Stars vs Blackburn Hawks

NIHL South 1 – Britton Cup

With last season’s beaten Britton Cup winners falling by the wayside at the semi-final stage, there’ll be a new name on the trophy this time around.

Streatham Redhawks looked on course for a place in the final, courtesy of a 6-1 win on the road at Chelmsford in the first leg of their last four tie, but a stunning second leg saw the Chieftains score five unanswered goals to take the game to overtime before prevailing with an all-important sixth.

What a comeback! 🤯

From 6-1 down after the first leg, an incredible six goals without reply on the road see @chiefsicehockey book their place in the Britton Cup final 👀

Just look at what it means!

🎥 David Jennings pic.twitter.com/5j1MJKevTG

— England Ice Hockey (@EngIceHockey) January 20, 2025

Having been on the right end of jubilant celebrations last time out in the competition, Chelmsford will hope to get the job done against Solent Devils, who also produced a second-leg comeback to knock Slough Jets out of the competition by a 6-5 aggregate scoreline.

Chelmsford lead this season’s head-to-head 2-1 and are eight points above their fellow cup finalists in the league standings. They come into this one as slight favourites but know there’s very little to choose between the teams.

Fixtures – Britton Cup final

• Saturday 22nd February 5:00pm Solent Devils vs Chelmsford Chieftains
• Sunday 23rd February 6:00pm Chelmsford Chieftains vs Solent Devils

NIHL North 2 – Laidler Cup

Like the NIHL North 1, there’s another rematch of last season’s final on the cards as Telford Tigers’ NIHL 2 side prepare to face Sutton Sting.

During the 2023/24 campaign, overtime was required to split the two teams, Telford eventually coming out on top by the finest of margins.

And with both enjoying relatively safe passage to the final this time around, will we see another tight encounter between the top two teams – by a comfortable distance – in the NIHL North 2?

Both league meetings this season have gone the way of the visitors – a theme which also rang true in both legs of last season’s final.

Fixtures – Laidler Cup final

• Saturday 22nd February 6:00pm Telford Tigers NIHL 2 vs Sutton Sting
• Sunday 23rd February 12:00pm Sutton Sting vs Telford Tigers NIHL 2

NIHL South 2 – Wilkinson Cup

Last but certainly not least, Guildford Phoenix will be hoping to retain their Wilkinson Cup crown, in a repeat of last season’s showpiece finale.

Just the one goal separated the sides last season, and in their two league meetings this time around, overtime has been required to split the teams.

They appear to be evenly matched, both on paper and on the ice, so expect an entertaining, closely-fought finale.  

Fixtures – Wilkinson Cup final

Saturday 22nd February 5:30pm Guildford Phoenix vs Peterborough Phantoms NIHL 2
Sunday 23rd February 5:30pm Peterborough Phantoms NIHL 2 vs Guildford Phoenix

Collaboration with the National Division

For this season’s regional cup finals, we are proud to have the support and endorsement of the Planet Ice NIHL National Division.

We are also working collaboratively with the National Division to donate pairs of tickets for both the NIHL Final Four and Steel City Showdown to Adam’s Angels.

These tickets will be auctioned off, raising funds which will further support the life-changing work they do.

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