Tyson Strachan and the Cardiff Devils D-corps are skating into form.
The cool, composed Strachan has slotted into the Devils line-up beautifully and head coach Andrew Lord is delighted by his teams progress.
Devils have had a few wobbles along the way, but they have won five successive Elite League ice hockey matches and are right in the thick of the title chase.
Lord’s men toppled leaders Nottingham Panthers 2-1 away on Saturday, an outstanding win following their 4-2 home win against Guildford Flames the previous evening.
Flames returned home to Surrey and earned a 5-2 win against Panthers on Sunday.
“Our defence are playing better and better, the chemistry is there after a couple of games together,” said Lord. “We have an unbelievable six right now – and we still have Mark Louis to return to the ice after injury.”
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Former NHL player Strachan is playing alongside Bryce Reddick and Lord says: “Tyson has been huge for us in all facets.
“He is just what we needed. It was perfect timing for us. I felt we had the balance of the D-corps right, but bringing in a real steady veteran, a guy who doesn’t get bugged by anything is ideal.
“Tyson is a cool, collected guy on the ice and in our locker room. He played hard, simple and effective hockey.
“Our penalty kill really turned for the better when he came on board.
“He is going to be huge for us down the stretch during big matches. Tyson won a champions in junior when we played in the same team, he won in college, but he hasn’t won in senior professional hockey.
“That drive to make sure he does that with Cardiff Devils is giving him that bit extra. His quest for that first pro championship is driving him on.”
Strachan and Lord were on the same Vernon Vipers team when they won the British Columbia Hockey League championship before the both went to college.
Lord attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, while Strachan went to Ohio State University and helped them win the NCAA championship in 2003-04.
Now the two men are together again and intent on bringing more ice hockey trophies to South Wales.
Devils are second in the League, two points behind leaders Belfast Giants with three games in hand, and have two home fixtures this weekend.
Bitter rivals Sheffield Steelers visit Ice Arena Wales on Saturday (7pm), while Glasgow-based Braehead Clan make the trip from Scotland to Cardiff Bay the next evening (6pm).
Mark Louis, Josh Batch and Justin Faryna are all close to fitness after injuries and at least one of them is likely to be ready for this weekend.
Craig Moore is still on crutches and won’t be playing again until the new year.
Tickets are limited for the clash with Steelers, while there are more available for the Clan visit. Details can be obtained via ONLINE HERE or by calling 0800 0842 666. They will also be available at the arena until face-off on each night.