1997–98 ISL season

The 1997–98 Ice Hockey Superleague season was the second season of the Ice Hockey Superleague (ISL).

There were no changes in the teams taking part during the season – Ayr Scottish Eagles, Basingstoke Bison, Bracknell Bees, Cardiff Devils, Manchester Storm, Newcastle Cobras, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.

The league season was reduced to twenty-eight rounds in the hope of organising a European tournament. However, this failed to materialise so the league arranged a new cup competition to meet the shortfall in fixtures. With the sponsorship of the Daily Express newspaper the Express Cup was launched.

Ayr Scottish Eagles won a of all available trophies.

The Benson & Hedges Cup consisted of the teams from the ISL and the top teams from the British National League. In the 1997–98 season, twelve teams in total were split into two regional groups playing each team in their group once at home and once away. The top four teams of each group then progressed to the quarter finals where the teams were paired off and the winning team on aggregate (after playing home and away) progressed to the semi finals. Again the winning team on aggregate progressed to the one-off final game held at Sheffield Arena.

Quarter final A: Winner A (Manchester) vs 4th place B (Bracknell)

Quarter final B: 3rd place A (Ayr) vs 2nd place B (Nottingham)

Quarter final C: 2nd place A (Newcastle) vs 3rd place B (Basingstoke)

Quarter final D: 4th place A (Sheffield) vs Winner B (Cardiff)

Winner QF A (Manchester) vs Winner QF B (Ayr)

Winner QF C (Newcastle) vs Winner QF D (Cardiff)

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