Cardiff Devils tough guy Patrick Bordeleau will, as expected, miss this Saturday’s Elite League clash with title rivals Belfast Giants at Ice Arena Wales (7pm).

But the 6ft 6ins Canadian will return when Devils play Coventry Blaze away and Sheffield Steelers at home the following weekend.

League officials assessed the challenge made by Bordeleau when he was thrown out for cross-checking to the head against Braehead Clan away and decided not to increase the mandatory one game ban.

Devils earned three points from a possible four last weekend, losing after sudden death overtime against Coventry and then winning a penalty shootout at Braehead Clan.

Belfast won against Steelers at home, but then crashed 4-1 against the same opposition 24 hours later.

Devils head coach Andrew Lord was bitterly disappointed after his team lost in overtime against Blaze at home and said: “That was probably the most frustrating fixtures we’ve had this season.

“Their goaltender Brian Stewart was in the best form against us in the three years I have been here.

“Our first seven minutes as a team were phenomenal, but it’s tough when you don’t get one behind him and we made too many errors over the match.

“The work ethic was there from every player, but we have to be a little smarter in some areas. We showed a ton of character over that match clawing our way back and taking the game into overtime, while we then showed plenty of character in winning at Braehead the following evening.”

The loss of Bordeleau for the Belfast match means Devils will run with 10 forwards, rotating players to run four lines at every opportunity.

Devils are certain to record a fourth successive sell-out Ice Arena Wales attendance when Giants come to South Wales on Saturday (7pm).

Only 100 match tickets were left at the start of business today (Wednesday) with 3,000 already snapped up.

Ticket information for all Devils matches, including the Challenge Cup semi-final against Giants next month, is available from the club’s official website or via the hotline on 0800 0842 666.

Devils have confirmed the dates for their Challenge Cup semi-final matches against Belfast Giants.The first leg will be at Ice Arena Wales on Wednesday, February 1 (7.30pm) with the return in Belfast on Wednesday, February 8 (7pm).

The home fixture is not included on 2016-17 season tickets, but those seats will be reserved for holders.

Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers clash in the other semi-final, while Cardiff host the final at their IAW home rink in March.