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. The League logo The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) is a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. ... The Ice Hockey Superleague was the top-level professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2003. ...

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. 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... World map showing Europe Political map (neighboring countries in Asia and Africa also shown) Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. ... The Daily Express is a conservative, middle-market British tabloid newspaper. ...

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. League: Ice Hockey Superleague Founded: 1996 Home Ice: Centrum Arena Capacity: 2745 Ice Size: 200ft x 103ft City: Ayr, United Kingdom Colours: White, Green, Orange, and Gold Head Coach: Paul Heavey Ownership: Bill Barr (Barr Construction Ltd) Ayr Scottish Eagles was an Ice Hockey team based in Ayr, Scotland. ... League: EPIHL Founded: 1987 Home Ice: John Nike Leisuresport Complex Capacity: 3100 Ice Size: 197ft x 98ft City: Bracknell, Berkshire, England Colours: Black, Yellow, and White Head Coach: Ryan Aldridge Ownership: David Taylor Bracknell Bees is an ice hockey team from Bracknell, Berkshire, UK. // History Early years The Bracknell Bees...

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. League: Elite Ice Hockey League Founded: 1991 Home Ice: Hallam FM Arena Capacity: 8500 Ice Size: 197ft x 98ft City: Sheffield, England Colours: White, Teal, and Orange Head Coach: David Matsos Ownership: Arena Sports LTD. Sheffield Steelers is a British ice hockey club from Sheffield, England. ... League: Elite Ice Hockey League Founded: 1946 Home Ice: National Ice Centre Capacity: circa 6500 Ice Size: 197ft x 98ft City: Nottingham, United Kingdom Colours: Gold & Black or Black & Silver Head Coach: Mike Ellis Ownership: Aladdin Management Ltd. ...

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. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The British National League is a defunct second-level professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. ... League: Elite Ice Hockey League Founded: 2000 Home Ice: SkyDome Arena Capacity: 3000 Ice Size: 184ft x 92ft City: Coventry, United Kingdom Colours: White and Blue Head Coach: Paul Thommo Thomson Ownership: Unknown Coventry Blaze are a British ice hockey team based in Coventry, England. ... The arena in ice hockey mode The Hallam FM Arena, originally named the Sheffield Arena, is an arena hosting concerts and sporting events in Sheffield in England. ... The Manchester Evening News Arena or MEN Arena is a large indoor arena situated in Manchester, England. ... The City of Manchester is a major city and metropolitan borough in the North of England, historically notable for its central role in the Industrial Revolution. ...

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 League logo The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) is a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. ...

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. Overtime is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport in order to bring the game to a decision and avoid declaring the contest a tie or draw. ...

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. 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... League: Elite Ice Hockey League Founded: 2000 Home Ice: SkyDome Arena Capacity: 3000 Ice Size: 184ft x 92ft City: Coventry, United Kingdom Colours: White and Blue Head Coach: Paul Thommo Thomson Ownership: Unknown Coventry Blaze are a British ice hockey team based in Coventry, England. ... League: Elite Ice Hockey League Founded: 1986 Home Ice: Wales National Ice Rink Capacity: 2800 Ice Size: 184ft x 85ft City: Cardiff, United Kingdom Colours: White, Red, Black, and Green Head Coach: Ed Patterson (Coach) Ownership: Arena Sports LTD. The Cardiff Devils are a British ice hockey club from Cardiff...

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. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Winners

• 1997/98 - Ayr Scottish Eagles 3-2 Bracknell Bees
• 1998/99 - Sheffield Steelers 4-0 Nottingham Panthers
• 1999/00 - Sheffield Steelers 2-1 Nottingham Panthers
• 2000/01 - Sheffield Steelers 4-2 Ayr Scottish Eagles
• 2001/02 - Ayr Scottish Eagles 5-0 Belfast Giants
• 2002/03 - Sheffield Steelers 3-2 Nottingham Panthers

• 2003/04 - Nottingham Panthers 1-1 Sheffield Steelers

Sheffield Steelers 2-3 Nottingham Panthers (Nottingham win 4-3 on aggregate)

• 2004/05 - Coventry Blaze 6-1 Cardiff Devils

Cardiff Devils 4-5 Coventry Blaze (Coventry win 11-5 on aggregate)

• 2004/06 - Coventry Blaze 3-0 Cardiff Devils

Cardiff Devils 4-1 Coventry Blaze (4-4 on aggregate after overtime, Cardiff win 1-0 on penalty shots)