Blackburn Hawks are agonisingly close to clinching a place in the English Cup semi-finals for the first time ever.

The ice hockey stars need just one point from their two remaining cup games, both this weekend, to reach the last four.

Sheffield Spartans provide tonight's opposition (Arena, face off 6pm) while rivals Flintshire are the challengers tomorrow.

Assistant manager Graham Lomax is confident that his side are capable of getting the job done.

He said "Everyone wants to reach the semi-finals. We've never reached them before so hopefully it will help to erase the disappointment of missing out on the league title.

"We just need one point from our two games this weekend and I am sure we can achieve that.

"A few of the young lads that have come in to the fold recently and have been outstanding, as too have some of the fringe players.

"A number of the senior players have been a little below par, so the youngsters have taken their chance and done really well."

The semi-finals will involve the top two teams from the Northern English Cup group and two from the Southern group, but Lomax is aware that his side are not there yet.

"We still have two games to play and we are not taking anything for granted.

"It is all down to us again. Sheffield will definitely be a tough game. They want the points as much as we do.

"We have played Flintshire a number of time this season and they are always passionate games.

"I'm sure there will be a big crowd down there so it should make for an exciting tie."