This weekend, silverware is on the line across the regional NIHL divisions as eight teams prepare to do battle up and down the country.
Teams from each division will look to make their mark in the cup, with some eye-catching two-legged encounters to look out for as teams dream of raising the trophy aloft.
Below, we’ve compiled everything you need to know ahead of the weekend’s action.
After back-to-back finals between Billingham Stars and Blackburn Hawks, there will be two new teams contesting this year’s cup final in the NIHL 1 North.
Deeside Dragons, who defeated 2023/24 champions Blackburn in the semi-finals after a thrilling second-leg comeback, will lock horns with Telford Tigers 2, who came from behind themselves to deny Solihull Barons a place in the final, winning 10-9 on aggregate.
The pair sit second and third in the NIHL 1 North standings, with Blackburn crowned league champions last weekend.
Still, Deeside spoiled the Hawks party on Sunday night, winning 5-3 on the road, and come into this one in fine form. So, too, do Deeside, who claimed maximum points last weekend.
Whichever way this one goes, based on the thrilling nature of their respective semi-finals, it should be a classic.
Fixtures – Moralee Cup final
Having missed out on the chance to claim back-to-back Britton Cup wins last season, Streatham Redhawks have returned with a vengeance, sweeping aside Swindon Wildcats 2 in the semi-finals, 9-1 on aggregate.
Chelmsford conquered the Redhawks last term and went on to claim the trophy after victory in the final against Solent Devils, who defeated the other of this season’s finalists, Slough Jets, in the final four last time around.
Drawn together in the Britton Cup group stages, there was very little to set Slough and Streatham apart over their two meetings in this competition already, with both results going the way of the home side.
Slough lead the way in the NIHL 1 South and have won six games in a row, suggesting they’re the team to beat.
But beaten twice last weekend – including in overtime on Saturday night away in Slough, Streatham will be out to right the wrongs of their recent performances and get their hands back on the trophy. Write them off at your peril.
Fixtures – Britton Cup final
After back-to-back Laidler Cup final defeats, can Sutton Sting make it third time lucky?
The NIHL 2 North leaders will certainly hope so, having lost just twice in all competitions this season. But who did those two defeats come against? The side who join them in the final, Billingham Buccaneers.
Whilst Sutton made rather light work of their semi-final, defeating Sheffield Titans 10-3 on aggregate, Billingham were given a scare by Coventry NIHL Blaze and needed to come from a goal down after the first leg to clinch their spot in the final.
The Buccaneers may sit 15 points off the pace in the league standings, but with those two victories over Sutton already under their belts this season, could they edge the psychological battle heading into the weekend?
Fixtures – Laidler Cup final
The Wilkinson Cup final will be contested for the third straight year between Peterborough Phantoms and Guildford Phoenix.
Guildford claimed the trophy two seasons ago, but it was Peterborough who returned the favour 12 months later, a strong first-leg showing away from home laying the platform for a hard-fought 9-6 victory on aggregate.
In this, the trilogy bout, it genuinely could go either way as the current top two in the league prepare to meet again.
The NIHL 2 Phantoms came into the knockout stages boasting a perfect 10 wins from 10, whilst Guildford collected 25 points from a possible 30. And with their only league meeting so far this season going the way of Peterborough, they will feel confident of getting the job done.
Fixtures – Wilkinson Cup final
To send us your latest club news, please click here!