Andrew Lord applauded his Cardiff Devils team after their 3-0 Elite League win against MK Lightning away and said: “Let’s go again against Stars.”
Devils made sure Lightning could not strike at the Planet Ice Arena and Lord’s men focus on their home clash with Dundee Stars at the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay on Saturday evening.
“We go again in less than 48 hours when Dundee come to our arena,” said head coach Lord.
https://twitter.com/cardiffdevils/status/1075889292931665926
“Every game matters so much and we are completely focused on that game and nothing else.
“Our team played well at MK Lightning, we produced a lot of good minutes.
“It was one heck of a game. MK have come a long way over the last month.
“They play hard and physical, while they have real speed up front and their goaltender (Patrick Killeen) makes every game a challenge for opponents.”
Charles Linglet scored Cardiff’s first goal – his 15th of the season – and they led 1-0 going into the last 10 minutes before Joey Haddad and man of the match Gleason Fournier clinched victory.
https://twitter.com/MKLightning/status/1075900149904392192
“We kept going, did not get frustrated and buried a couple in the third to close the game out,” said Lord. “Milton Keynes forecheck hard and are dangerous on the counterattack, but I liked large parts of our performance and we emerged winners.”
Former NHL player Tim Wallace is in charge of the Lightning team and he said: “Cardiff Devils are a top team and this was always going to be difficult.
“We can, though, beat anybody on our day and we were frustrated after losing, We were not happy with our performance.
“We have changed our systems to a more aggressive style and we had chances, hitting a post and missing the net.
“There was only one goal in it after two periods and then a couple of breakdowns were punished. The result was disappointing, but now we focus on playing Nottingham Panthers away on Saturday.”
Lightning’s Andreas Valdix was thrown out for checking to the head/neck and Wallace said: “That will be reviewed by the leg, but we think he was going for the puck.”
Goaltender Ben Bowns stopped all 20 shots he faced at Milton Keynes and the win puts Cardiff two points behind leaders Belfast Giants with two games still in hand.
Remaining Devils fixtures in 2018:
December
Saturday 22 v Dundee Stars (home, 7pm)
Sunday 23 v Guildford Flames (away, 6pm)
Boxing Day, Wednesday 26 v Coventry Blaze (away, 6pm)
Thursday 27 v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm)
Sunday 30 v Guildford Flames (away, 6pm)
TICKETS for Devils home games available ONLINE HERE or by calling 0800 0842 666 or in person at the reception desk at VIOLA ARENA right up until face-off.
ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2018/19
| TEAM | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | PCT | GF | GA | PIM | STREAK |
| Belfast Giants | 28 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 42 | .750 | 107 | 63 | 404 | 1-0 |
| Cardiff Devils | 26 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 40 | .769 | 105 | 69 | 329 | 2-0 |
| Nottingham Panthers | 30 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 38 | .633 | 95 | 90 | 508 | 0-4 |
| Fife Flyers | 27 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 34 | .630 | 95 | 88 | 359 | 1-0 |
| Guildford Flames | 26 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 29 | .558 | 89 | 81 | 347 | 1-0 |
| Dundee Stars | 28 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 28 | .500 | 77 | 94 | 308 | 1-0 |
| Sheffield Steelers | 27 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 26 | .481 | 80 | 89 | 391 | 0-1 |
| Glasgow Clan | 24 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 25 | .521 | 73 | 83 | 292 | 1-0 |
| Coventry Blaze | 26 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 25 | .481 | 82 | 95 | 360 | 0-1 |
| Manchester Storm | 27 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 23 | .426 | 75 | 98 | 747 | 0-2 |
| Milton Keynes Lightning | 27 | 9 | 16 | 2 | 20 | .370 | 65 | 93 | 572 | 0-1 |