The NIHL S1 Cup (also referred to as the League Cup in the South Division 1 tier of the National Ice Hockey League) features a group-stage format prior to knockout rounds, and the section known as Group B is one of the two initial pools in which clubs are drawn.
Purpose and format
Group B in the S1 Cup is structured to provide competitive fixtures early in the season, with selected league games doubling up as Cup group fixtures. According to the official NIHL competition rules, the first home and away league fixtures between each pair of clubs in the group count for both the league and the Cup standings. At the conclusion of the group stage the top teams advance to semi-finals, and the Cup final is played over two legs (home and away).
Group B composition
For example, in one recent announcement for the South Division 1 League Cup, Group B was confirmed to contain the following five clubs: Chelmsford Chieftains, Slough Jets, Romford Buccaneers, Oxford City Stars and Swindon Wildcats 2. These clubs compete within the group for Cup-table points, while also participating in the regular league fixtures.
How the group stage works
Each team in Group B engages with the other group members via the designated home-and-away fixtures that also form part of the league schedule. The dual-purpose fixture format means that results carry weight both for the league table and the separate Cup table. The group stage ranking determines which teams progress to the semi-final stage of the Cup. Typically, the top two clubs from each of the two Cup groups (Group A and Group B) advance to two-legged semi-final matches.
Strategic significance and club priorities
For clubs in Group B, the Cup format offers an early-season competitive focus and an opportunity to secure silverware separate from the end-of-season league title. Because group matches are drawn from scheduled league fixtures, clubs benefit from reduced additional travel and fixture burden. At the same time, the Cup emphasises consistency: clubs must perform well in designated league fixtures against their Group B rivals, not just in isolated Cup matches. Success in the group gives a direct route into semi-finals and potential Cup final.
Summary
Group B within the S1 League Cup provides a defined sub-pool of Southern Division 1 clubs who compete in a combined-league-and-Cup schedule, striving for top-positions in their group in order to progress to the knockout rounds. By integrating these Cup fixtures with league matches, the format ensures efficient scheduling and sustained competitive relevance early in the season. Clubs in Group B therefore face dual goals: strong league performance and securing Cup-advancement.