Club owner Steve King believes Cardiff Devils are going to finish the Elite League season in winning style.
Calgary-based King flew in for the Devils v Sheffield Steelers Challenge Cup final when Layne Ulmer fired Cardiff’s winning goal.
Devils stand top of the League with six fixtures left and the first of those is against Dundee Stars at Ice Arena Wales on Saturday (7pm).
“My belief is that, having won the Challenge Cup, we will win the other three trophies available,” said King. “There is still work to be done when it comes to the League and Conference titles, but it’s looking good.
“Then we’ll turn to the play-offs and see how they go, but I know we are the best team in Elite League and I can’t see how anybody can argue with that.
“It’s impossible to describe how proud I am of every player. They are a great group on and off the ice. I am proud to be a part of what is happening.”
Three Devils owners, King, Craig Shoshtak and Brian Parker, flew in for the Cup final, joining players and fans on the ice for post-match celebrations.
“I have watched this team in every game they have played apart from away matches at Nottingham and Braehead which are not streamed,” said King.
“Devils are the best team in Elite League.
“Everything starts and finishes with Andrew Lord. I speak to Lordo many times a week in the off-season, but right now we leave him to focus on the team and their targets.
“He’s a man who gives everything he has for this club. You don’t get a team as cohesive as this Devils team is the sort of work ethic he has and thorough research he does.”
King is planning a trip back to the UK from Calgary next month when the play-off finals are in Nottingham and he says: “Winning the Challenge Cup was special and life is about special moments.
“This is my last year with both of my boys at home before one of them goes to university. It’s going to be the ultimate boys trip in the spring break.
“We have golf planned in Scotland and then the play-off finals.”
King also said Devils are planning ahead for 2017-18, saying: “Most of the players have approached the club asking to come back. Lordo and Todd have created a club where players want to be.
“They can enjoy playing hockey.”
Devils’ home clash with Stars this Saturday is already a 3,088 sell-out.
Tickets are also selling fast for Cardiff’s remaining three home League games at the IAW after the Dundee clash. The first of those is on Sunday, March 19 v Fife Flyers (6pm), while there are back-to-back home fixtures against Belfast Giants on Saturday, March 25 (7pm) and the following evening (6pm).
Ticket information is available from the Cardiff Devils official website or via the hotline on 0800 0842 666.
Elite League – top five only
All teams play 52 matches
Pl Pts
1 Cardiff Devils 46 73
2 Belfast Giants 46 66
3 Sheffield Steelers 46 63
4 Braehead Clan 47 51
5 Nottingham Panthers 44 50