By Terry Phillips
Elite League table – top five
All teams play 52 fixtures
1 Cardiff Devils – Played 29, Points 45
2 Belfast Giants 29, 41
3 Sheffield Steelers 26, 35
4 Nottingham Panthers 28, 34
5 Braehead Clan 30, 30
Coach Andrew Lord has pledged his Cardiff Devils will continue to play ‘big body hockey’ in their drive to win the Elite League title.
It is 20 years since Devils were last crowned ice hockey champions of Britain when Mike Ware was their enforcer and the number one forward line was Ken Hodge, Steve Thornton and Ivan Matulik.
This season Lord’s men look to former NHL hard man Patrick Bordeleau to add a touch of steel, while Joey Martin, Patrick Asselin and goals ace Guillaume Doucet join forces on their top line.
Devils have an abundance of skill on their roster, while the ability to hit hard and finish checks with real venom adds an extra dimension which gives talent a chance to shine.
They are four points clear at the top and big ‘Bordy’ has played a major role over the last two fixtures in particular, producing crunching, clean hits.
Devils next match is against Coventry Blaze at Ice Arena Wales on Saturday (7pm) and Lord says: “That physicality is something we are always talking about.
“Over the last three seasons we have had a team with a tough, physical and intimidating edge. That has been part of our game.
“We may have got away from that at times, but Devils are a team who play with a ton of puck possession and that sometimes makes it difficult to play that physical.
“Now a lot of guys have stepped up. Body had a great third period against Coventry in our 6-4 win and earned himself more ice time against Dundee in the 4-1 win. He carried that firm over, while Matthew Myers, too, played big body hockey and Joey Haddad is consistently strong.
“D-men are finishing their checks on the defensive side of the puck. It makes a difference when everybody buys in and that’s what is happening.”
Bordeleau’s ability to hit hard is a big factor for Devils because the 6ft 6ins winger can strike fear into the hearts of opposing players and nobody has stepped up to try and stop him.
Sheffield Steelers tough guy Zack Fitzgerald is among those who have opted to steer clear of Bordeleau when the title rivals have clashed, but he may be forced into dropping the gloves when the teams cash at the IAW in Cardiff Bay join Sunday, January 22 (6pm).
Devils have beaten Steelers five times in their last five clashes, the last three by a 3-2 margin, and Steelers must find a way to change that trend.
Cardiff’s remaining seven fixtures in January, four of them at hime, are: this Saturday v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm); Sunday v Braehead (away, 6pm), Saturday 14 v Belfast Giants (home, 7pm), Saturday 21 v Coventry Blaze (away, 7pm), Sunday 22 v Sheffield Steelers (home , 6pm), Saturday 28 v Nottingham Panthers (home, 7pm), Sunday 29 v Fife Flyers (away, 6pm).
Ticket information is available from the official Devils club website or the hotline on 0800 0842 666.