Nottingham Lions are finally back in Ice Hockey action after almost a year off rink as the team host Sheffield Scimitars in the English Ice Hockey Association NIHL North Cup on Sunday and better still – you can watch it LIVE via YouTube on Nottingham Sport here.

It has been a frustrating time for the third-tier team and for all ice hockey teams in the UK since covid hit but the club are finally excited to get back into competition as they face a Scimitars side at the National Ice Centre in a 4pm face off Sunday afternoon (28^th February 2021).

As well as Sheffield, the Lions will face Widnes Wild and Blackburn Hawks in a four-team group with matches played home and away to decide the 2020/21 champion.

The game itself this weekend offers a great chance to showcase local ice hockey live on YouTube and will be a momentous much anticipated return to the Motorpoint Arena who have been without a sporting fixture of note since 1^st March 2020 when Nottingham Panthers lost 3-4 against Coventry Blaze.

After Sunday’s live streamed encounter, the Lions will head to Widnes on the 6^th March before taking on Blackburn away on the 13^th and at home on 20^th March before their visiting leg against Sheffield (Saturday 27^th March) ahead of rounding things off against Widnes Wild at the National Ice Centre a day later.

In a competition statement last week the EIHA were excited to announce “The EIHA and teams from the NIHL North have been working hard over the past months to determine options for returning to play and as a result we are delighted to announce that the Blackburn Hawks, Nottingham Lions, Sheffield Scimitars and Widnes Wild will take part in a series of games over February and March.”

“As the participating clubs are a mix of NIHL1 and former NIHL2 clubs, this will be a Cup competition, designed to send a positive message to hockey players, fans and volunteers and build on the sport’s gradual return to play.”

*Main image @nottinghamarena the NIC will finally host ice hockey at last.