Swedish hockey club Skellefteå AIK are back home ready to host the Belfast Giants on 11 October. Both teams met for the first time last week resulting in a 4-2 win for Skellefteå, despite Belfast’s fighting spirit till the very end.

Skellefteå currently find themselves in second place in Group H, with four wins and one loss behind them, amassing eleven points thus far in their seventh CHL appearance, securing them safe passage to the Playoffs. In last year’s CHL, the Swedes made it to the Round of 16 before they were ousted from the tournament.

The Belfast Giants are currently playing in their second CHL season, with one win and four losses to their name. Their first win of the season came as a result of a shootout against Oceláři Třinec on 11 September. Although the team are a bit of an underdog in the CHL, they have managed to show solid grit during their duels, and their fans have been some of the most supportive, seeing as the Giants are the sole professional ice hockey league on the island of Ireland.

Skellefteå are looking good to take their second win against Belfast and attack rivals HC Davos in top spot of their group and have the home advantage to their benefit. Will Belfast surprise us with an upset in their final game of the season?