Andrew Lord has vowed his Cardiff Devils team will roar back to their best in tonight’s (Wednesday) Elite League clash with Dundee Stars in Scotland.
“I know for a fact we will be back to normal come Wednesday’s match,” said Lord, who was shocked by lacklustre performances against MK Lightning (2-5) and Manchester Storm (1-6).
“They were extremely ugly (team displays), there is no hiding from that,” said Lord. “We were poor and them some.
“Special teams are a huge, huge issue right now and that’s strange. For the last three seasons we have been first or second in all categories and we are an even more skilled group now.
“The powerplay guys are not getting it done and to make it even worse the penalty kill guys did not get it done. There were also selfish penalties taken.
“There are not many games you are going to win if you concede three powerplay goals as we did against Storm. When special teams aren’t going it puts so much pressure on the team.
“At Milton Keynes players didn’t buy into the game plan, while turnovers cost us.
“We need to correct it and are going to correct it. I know that for a fact. WE will be back to normal come Wednesday (v Dundee).
“Devils have a great team, a bunch of competitors, and for whatever reason it wasn’t there this weekend.
“Our consistency right now is not good enough, You can talk game plans until you are blue in the face and come up with line combinations, but if you lack consistency as individuals and as a group game-to-game and shift-to-shift you won’t get things done.
“We analysed those performances, wiped the slate clean and prepared thoroughly for our match against Dundee.”
Devils will be without Paul Crowder for their next three matches after he was suspended for three matchers.
Milton Keynes requested a League review of an incident when Crowder was penalised for high sticks during Saturday’s match after 26 minutes 25 seconds.
The offence was upgraded to a match penalty for slashing and, because his stick was high, Crowder is suspended for fixtures against Dundee this evening, Braehead Clan at home on Saturday and Belfast Giants, also in Cardiff Bay, on Saturday, October 7.
Crowder, though, can play in the Champions Hockey League match against Vaxjo Lakers at Ice Arena Wales next Tuesday evening.
Matt Pope is a doubt after being ruled out of last weekend’s matches by a minor injury.
Ticket information for all Devils’ home matches is available online via the Cardiff Devils official website or by phoning 0800 0842 666. Tickets can also be purchased in person from the main reception at Ice Arena Wales.
Ticket prices for Elite League:
Adult £18 (gold category), £16 (silver), £15 (bronze).
Concessions (60+ years of age, registered disabled, youth 16-21 years) £14, @12, £11.
Child (3-years-old to 15-years-old) £10, £8, £7.
Children aged under three do not require a ticket as long as they are sitting on an adults lap.