Coventry Blaze face a huge challenge and a tricky start in the “group of death” as the ice hockey season reaches a climax with the play-offs.

By finishing fourth in the BNL the team have to take on league champions Guildford, rivals Peterborough, who have been something of a thorn in the Blaze’s side this season, and Milton Keynes.

Each side is played home and away over the next three weekends.

The top two teams go to through to the semi-final and will face the best two from the other group, which contains Basingstoke, Fife, Slough and Hull.

Coventry face probably their hardest game first, when they visit the Guildford Spectrum on Saturday.

There is then a home tie with Peterborough on Sunday 4.

The following weekend sees Guildford come to Coventry on 10 March, before the Blaze travel to Peterborough on the Sunday.

The final weekend, the 17 and 18 March, sees Coventry travel to Milton Keynes Kings, and play host to them the following night at the Skydome.

All Coventry’s home games start at 6pm.

Tickets for all three Skydome games will be on sale from 2pm today on 08700 119119.

The supporters club will be organising coach travel to all the away games and anyone interested in booking their place on the coach to Guildford this Saturday, departing at 2.30pm, should ring 0121 702 2481 or 0121 745 7222.

Supporters planning to travel independently are advised to pre-book with the venue before travelling.

Operations Director of the Blaze, Grant Charman, said:

"The play-offs will be the most exciting hockey seen to date at the Skydome.

"It's a good set of fixtures for us. there are three genuine contenders for two places for the semi-finals.

"If we can get home wins against Peterborough and Guildford then that would leave us with two matches against Milton Keynes.

"Beating them is not guaranteed, but it's an easier finish than playing the other two.

"Anyone who has seen a game during the inaugural Blaze season should get down for these three games. Get your tickets quickly though as we expect huge crowds for all three home games."