EPL ICE HOCKEY; MANCHESTER Phoenix start their bid for English Premier League Playoff glory when they take on Swindon Wildcats this weekend.

Their quarter final tie sees them look to gain the upper hand in Wiltshire on Saturday (5.45pm) before the return leg a day later (5.30pm).

Although Phoenix split the regular season series 4-2, the Wildcats have been dominant at home.

And with Aaron Nell, supported by Jonas Hoog, Michal Pinc, Jaroslav Cesky and Nicky Watt, they have the most potent offence in the league Nell in particular has 46 goals in 38 games and was unlucky not to be named the EPL's All Star team.

But Phoenix should have the quality to progress to the Final Four weekend at Coventry and a potential mouth-watering match-up with Sheffield Steeldogs in the Semi Finals.

Tony Hand's side has got healthy at the right time and are likely to field a full-strength roster at the weekend for the first time this season.

The forward line has been affected all year with Slava Koulikov, Stephen Wallace and Hand himself missing out on a combined total of 59 games.

That has seen Phoenix rely on the likes of Juraj Faith (79 points), Martin Cingel (72) and Tom Duggan (49).

But Stephen Foneís prowess between the pipes has also been vital, with the former Coventry Blaze back-up having a save percentage of 89.89.

One area Phoenix will need to improve on is on their Powerplay as the Wildcats are a side that takes penalties.

Watt and Shane Moore have 306 minutes between them, but with a Powerplay percentage at just shy of 19, Manchester will have to step up to convert more opportunities if they want to progress.

"This has been a real rollercoaster of a league campaign and I think we can be proud of what we achieved, considering the injuries we carried for a large part of the season," Hand said. "We are ready for the playoffs, we know what Swindon are capable of, and we are looking forward to challenging for the final piece of silverware this season."

Quarter Final line up (two legs): Milton Keynes Lighting v Slough Jets, Swindon Wildcats v Manchester Phoenix, Basingstoke Bison v Sheffield Steeldogs and Peterborough Phantoms v Guildford Flames.

Meanwhile, the Elite League Playoff Finals kick off at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham his weekend.

League Champions Belfast Giants will take on Cardiff Devils whilst surprise package Hull Stingrays, who pulled off a real shock by beating Sheffield Steelers, will face Nottingham.

The Semi Finals are on Saturday with the Final facing-off at 4pm on Sunday.