It’s been a very long time coming, but NIHL hockey is back in Cardiff for the 2021-22 season. Coming out of the pandemic the management of Cardiff Fire decided to streamline operations for the 2021-22 season and enter one team that will compete in NIHL D2. Cardiff Fire will also be competing in the NIHL Cup for the first time in 4 years.
The league and cup format for the 2021-22 season will be as follows:
Regular Season
The league will consist of one home and one away game against all 11 other teams in the South, replacing the East-West conference system of previous seasons.
NIHL Cup
The cup competition will take place with a qualification round having an East and West group. The group games are not stand-alone fixtures with the first meeting between the teams counting towards qualification standings. The group stage will lead to two legged semi-finals in mid December (E1 v W2, W1 v E2) and a two legged Cup Final in mid January at own rinks.
East group = Chelmsford, Haringey, Invicta, Lee Valley, Peterborough and Streatham
West group = Basingstoke, Bristol, Cardiff, Guildford and Solent
Playoffs
The top eight sides from the regular season will go through to the first round of playoffs in two legged quarter finals at own rinks (1v8, 2v7 etc.) with the top four sides having first choice of home date over the weekend of 9-10 April. The four winning sides then make it to the Playoff Finals played over the weekend of 16-17 April at a neutral venue which is to be decided.
We are very excited to welcome back the Fire Family to Ice Arena Wales following a difficult 18 months for everybody, with our first home game of the season on Saturday 2 October. Please stay tuned to Cardiff Fire socials for more information regarding player signings and interviews about the new season ahead.
Check out the fixtures below or visit the Fire Fixtures page for a full list of fixtures.
Hockey is back! #FireItUp
