Peter Russell, a former Cardiff Devils ‘eye in the sky’, is planning a cup shocker for his former club when Glasgow Clan play at the Viola Arena on Friday (tonight, 7.30pm).
Scot Russell, now in charge of Clan and Great Britain, was sent to the stands by head coach Ed Patterson in 2006 and explains: “I would train with the team every day and when it came to matches I sat high in the stands and went down during the period breaks.
“I was able to give Ed and the players a different viewpoint.”
He returns to Cardiff Bay for the second leg of Devils’ Challenge Cup quarter-final against Glasgow Clan, while the Scottish club then play Elite League Belfast Giants at home on Saturday.
Picture: Al Goold (www.algooldphoto.com)
“We have two big games against two of the league’s top teams,” says Russell, whose Clan team are 4-3 down after the first leg in Glasgow.
“Firstly we are in Cardiff for the second leg of our cup clash. It’s a one-off game and we will have to make sure we start well to give ourselves a chance of causing an upset.
“The good thing is that there is zero pressure on us and we can give it our all.
“We travel back home for the game on Saturday where we play Belfast. We have had a few good games against the Giants but narrowly fallen short.
“Again, how we start is going to be vital and make sure we stay with them. We are looking forward to the challenge and another good game.
“Players love big games and they don’t come too much bigger in the EIHL than Cardiff and Belfast. We can’t wait to get going and leave it all on the ice.”
TICKETS for Friday’s home game against Glasgow plus other fixtures available ONLINE HERE or by calling 0800 0842 666 or in person at the reception desk at VIOLA ARENA right up until face-off at 6pm.
Devils remaining fixtures in December:
Friday 14 v Glasgow Clan (home, 7.30pm, Challenge Cup quarter-final, second leg)
Saturday 15 v Manchester Storm (away, 7pm)
Thursday 20 v MK Lightning (away, 7.30pm)
Saturday 22 v Dundee Stars (home, 7pm)
Sunday 23 v Guildford Flames (away, 6pm)
Wednesday 26 v Coventry Blaze (away, 6pm)
Thursday 27 v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm)
Sunday 30 v Guildford Flames (away, 6pm)
Tickets for Devils games are on sale.