Andrew Lord and his Cardiff Devils players celebrated their Challenge Cup success in style, but the message was clear: “There is still a lot more to achieve.”
Devils lifted the Cup for a second time in three years and they are now intent on lifting three more trophies – Elite League championship, Erhardt Conference and end-of-season play-offs.
Head coach Lord admitted he was ‘at a loss for words’ as the Devils owners, players, management and fans celebrated on the pad at Ice Arena Wales.
Devils defeated Sheffield Steelers in the final thanks to goals from Gleason Fournier, Mark Louis and Layne Ulmer,
Lord, still in full playing kit and his voice failing after a long, hard match, said: “It was absolutely incredible. The first time we won the Challenge Cup two years ago was amazing and now we have lifted the trophy again on home ice during the club;s 30th anniversary season.
“I am so happy for Devils fans who went through tough times in the past. We achieved this for them and it was great seeing the faces of supporters as we skated around with the trophy.
“We have a group of guys who have grown as a unit. We have added in guys who are gamers, players like Ulmer, Bentivoglio, Brine and more.
“Every one of them fitted into our team perfectly. The players did their club proud.
“We had a good start, but give Sheffield credit because they fought back and their powerplay was phenomenal. They scored once and got a ton of momentum from that.
“We fought back in the second and third when our composure and big game mentality came through.”
Devils had to sit out one of their import players because they carry one extra and the man who missed out was Guillaume Doucet, who , along with injured captain Jake Morissette, joined his team-mates for the post-match celebrations.
“That was one if the toughest talks I have ever had to have,” said Lord. “That guy (Doucet) is incredible. He’s a Devil through and through and does everything to the highest possible standards.
“He is playing super well and I felt so bad having to make that decision, but I felt the make-up of the team needed for this match meant we had to include Chris Culligan.
“It was brutal and I feel for Gui. He has been the ultimate team guy for us.
“We’ve had pretty good rotation and I am sure that will continue.”
Steelers coach Paul Thompson accepted that Devils were the better team and conceded that Lord’s men will win the Elite League title.
They need a minimum of three games from their final six fixtures, while Sheffield hopes were shattered by a 4-1 defeat against Coventry Blaze on Saturday.
“Give Devils credit, they were the better team in the second and third periods,” said Thompson. “They have proved to be the better team over this season and will win the League.
“This season Devils have got it right.”
Cardiff players return to training on Tuesday and are focused on Saturday’s home match against Dundee Stars at Ice Arena Wales (7pm).
They will then travel to play Steelers away on Sunday (5pm).
Ticket information for all Devils home fixtures is available from the club’s official website or via the hotline at 0800 0842 666. The clash with Dundee looks certain to be a sell-out and ticket enquiries should be made as early as possible.