Sam Duggan, Cardiff Devils’ new signing, could make his debut in their Challenge Cup match against Coventry Blaze at the SkyDome on Sunday (5.15pm).
Great Britain international Duggan, aged 20, skated with his new team-mates on Friday after flying in from the USA, but he was not risked against Guildford Flames last night.
It was two weeks since Duggan skated and he agreed with head coach Andrew Lord that it was sensible to miss the clash with Flames and watch from the gantry at the newly renamed Viola Arena.
He may, though, dress and skate in at least a few shifts against Blaze in a match which means nothing in terms of progress in the Challenge Cup.
http://https://youtu.be/vVOSa-D5xAY
This is a final group fixture for both teams. Blaze are bottom and already out, while Devils are top despite losing 5-3 against Guildford at home last night.
Devils would have been top seeds with a regulation time win against Flames, but defeat means Belfast now are number one. They have first choice of who they play in the last eight, while Devils go second.
Cup rules say results of the bottom team will be removed before quarter-final places are decided, which means the result at Coventry means nothing apart from pride.
Lord, though, will demand commitment, energy and a big team performance from his players after the bitter disappointment of defeat against Flames.
He was clearly upset after the clash with Flames, saying: “We lost the game in a lot of areas. Ou first period was the worst we have played all season.
http://https://youtu.be/TXfBl-evBLs
“We were poor out of the gates and there wasn’t a lot of energy. We are good when we have energy, plenty of jam, pace to our game and a relentlessness.
“To be fair, Flames played really well. We know that team by now, what they do and how hard they play. Much like us when we are at our best.
“We had a stitch in the second period, but poor penalties got us into trouble. The penalties took away our momentum.
“The third was much more our style. We were relentless, created chances and scored goals. Unfortunately they came too late.
“It was a good reminder that we have to play for 60 minutes. I question whether, as a team, we were ready to play. I don’t think we were.
“Unfortunately, we were playing opponents who play aggressively on the penalty kill and have great skill.”
http://https://youtu.be/N0Yu-GpTwW4
Lord’s players will be firmly made aware of what is expected at Coventry this evening and he said: “When we put the Devils jersey on we come to play. We are playing for the front of that jersey.
“All the guys have done that for 98 per cent of the season and worn their hearts on their sleeves.
“We didn’t bring that as a group against Guilford and we have to get back to that. Losing games is never okay, but it’s about how you lose. We didn’t bring it on Saturday.
“When we play the way we can it’s fun and we must get back to that at Coventry.”
Sunday fixtures:
Nottingham Panthers v Belfast Giants (4pm)
Panthers lost in Sheffield after OT on Saturday, while Giants won in the same fashion at Manchester. One point separates the teams going in this top of the table clash.
Coventry Blaze v Cardiff Devils (5.15pm)
(Webcast | Tickets) Challenge Cup
The final Challenge Cup game sees both teams wanting a win for difference reasons. Blaze to end their cup campaign with something for their home fans, while Devils want to prove a point after losing their unbeaten home record to Guildford last night.
“Although our hopes of Challenge Cup qualification are now unfortunately over, we want to make sure we end our participation in the competition the right way,” said Coventry captain Kevin Morris.
Lord says: “Game against Coventry are always special. The rivalry is long and intense. Our fans are always passionate about these games because of that rivalry.
“There will be a great travelling support. Coventry can’t qualify, but we know they’ll want to win in front of their home fans and there is no such thing as an easy game in Coventry.”
Guildford Flames v Manchester Storm (6pm)
Flames will be on a high after winning in Cardiff, while Storm will take confidence from their late comeback against the Giants before losing in OT.
Flames are aiming for a fourth successive win and head coach Paul Dixon says: “We have not seen Storm yet this season, but they have a number of returnees from last year.
“We will need to be mindful defensively and limit their opportunities.
“They were assertive last season and came at us. We must be in a competitive mood to try and turn that around and dictate the pace of the game on our terms as much as possible.”
Former Cardiff Devils captain Ryan Finnerty is Storm head coach and says: “Flames have great speed, a productive powerplay and compete all over the ice.
“I am looking for a our guys to compete much harder on the road and Sunday will give them a stage to showcase that.”
Fife Flyers vs. MK Lightning (6.30pm)
MK Lightning go into their final Scottish road game of this trip with only one point in the bag so far, while Fife Flyers are a point off the leaders despite losing at home to Coventry on Saturday.
Saturday results: Cardiff Devils 3, Guildford Flames 5; Fife Flyers 2, Coventry Blaze 3 (penalty shots); Glasgow Clan 6, MK Lightning 4; Manchester Storm 3, Belfast Giants 4 (overtime); Sheffield Steelers 2, Nottingham Panthers 1 (overtime).
Cardiff Devils – the next five fixtures:
October
Sunday 28 v Coventry Blaze (Challenge Cup, away, 5.15pm)
Wednesday 31 v Glasgow Clan (League, away, 7.30pm)
November
Saturday 3 v Coventry Blaze (home, League, 7pm)
Sunday 4 v Nottingham Panthers (away, League, 4pm)
Wednesday 7 v Fife Flyers (home, League, 7.30pm)
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