A powerful message has been issued to Cardiff Devils by Belfast’s ‘A View From The Bridge’ podcast, saying: “Not on our ice.”
Head coach Andrew Lord and his Devils team will be crowned Elite League title winners if they come out on top in tonight’s match against Belfast Giants at the SSE Arena (Friday, 7pm).
The match is being streamed live at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay, while the podcast message was: “This is one of our biggest games in years.
“It’s crucial we do not see a team skate to a championship in our building.”
Manchester Storm are the only team who can still mathematically catch leaders Devils, who are eight points clear at the top with five fixtures left.
Giants and Devils are, though, battling it out for the Erhardt Conference championship and tonight’s could be decisive to that chase.
The trip to Belfast is Cardiff’s final away fixture of the season. They finish with four successive home matches.
Devils are still hurting after Belfast won the Challenge Cup at the IAW less than a fortnight ago and the Welsh club are intent on both the League title and their Conference.
Todd Kelman, Cardiff’s managing director, said: “Winning our conference means a lot because it is so hard to win. That’s our focus.
“We suffered a tough loss in the Challenge Cup final, but the better team won on the day and we can’t take away from the job Keefer (coach Adam Keefe) has done for Belfast or the effort they put in on the night.
“Devils probably had the flow of play in the first period, but you could feel a shift of momentum in the second and during the third we were completely dominated by Giants. They smelt blood and wanted it more than us.
“On the day Giants outplayed us. That happens in sport.”
Devils fans will gather at Ice Arena Wales this evening to watch the live showing of Giants v Devils. Entry is free and the doors to the bar will open at 5.30pm. Commentary in Belfast starts at 6.45pm.
The stream can also be booked for home viewing. There are links to the live stream on both the Devils and Giants websites.
Remaining Devils fixtures in the regular season (play-offs start later this month):
Friday 16 v Belfast Giants A (7pm)
Saturday 17 No game
Sunday 18 v Sheffield Steelers H (6pm)
Wednesday 21 v Manchester Storm H (7.30pm)
Saturday 24 v Belfast Giants H (7pm)
Sunday 25 v MK Lightning H (6pm)
CLICK HERE to book match online or call 0800 0842 666 to book via the phone.
ELITE LEAGUE TABLE – ALL TEAMS PLAY 56 MATCHES
