Goalie Ben Bowns has paid tribute to the Cardiff Devils defenceman working to protect him in the chase for Elite League honours.
Devils are clear at the top and are hot favourites to qualify for the Challenge Cup semi-finals – and Bowns thanks his D-men.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without those guys,” said Bowns. “They are all gifted offensively – I know because I face them in training – while they are all calm and composed in doing their jobs defensively.
“Occasionally I may have to bail them out, but they bail me out far more times.”
The six regular D-men who stand tall in front of Bowns are Josh Batch, Mark Louis, Mark Richardson and Gleason Fournier plus the Hotham brothers, Andrew and Scott.
Forward Chris Culligan, too, has patrolled the blue-line with big success when needed and the defensive unit will be crucial when Dundee arrive in Cardiff Bay for Wednesday’s cup clash.
Devils lead 4-1 from the first leg of their quarter-final and an aggregate victory over the two games would earn a last four clash with Manchester Storm or Belfast Giants.
Devils are facing a gruelling spell of four matches in seven days overs over Christmas as they step up their chase for honours in Elite League and Challenge Cup.
Three of those fixtures are at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay, starting with Dundee Stars making the trip to South Wales on Wednesday (7.30pm).
Manchester Storm follow on Friday (7pm) before Devils take on Coventry Blaze home and away.
Player-Coach Andrew Lord takes his team to the Skydome on Boxing Day with the return at the IAW the next evening (7.30pm).
Devils go into their busy spell of matches with a full strength team. Sean Bentivoglio returned to action last weekend after injury, while Culligan is close to regaining full fitness.
Visitors Dundee Stars won 10-3 against Edinburgh in their last League match, ending a run of five defeats.
“It’s important to keep the momentum going,” says Stars coach Marc Lefebvre. “We are preparing for a big cup game and we are down by a few goals (from the first leg).
“We go to Cardiff and will lay everything on the table. We’ll do our best and hope things go our way.”
Face-off times for Devils four home games between now and New Year’s Day are: Wednesday, December 21 v Dundee (Challenge Cup, 7.30pm); Friday, December 23 v Manchester Storm (League, 7.00pm); Tuesday, December 27 v Coventry Blaze (League, 7.30pm); Sunday, January 1 v Dundee Stars (League, 4pm).
Ticket information is available via the club’s official website or from the hotline on 0800 0842 666.