Gerald Adams says the unsung heroes of Cardiff and Sheffield will decide Sunday’s ice hockey Challenge Cup final.
Former Devils and Steelers coach Adams believes the likes of Chris Jones and Luke Piggott for Devils, Luke Ferrara and Jonathan Phillips for Steelers will play decisive roles.
Fourth line players Jones, Piggott and Patrick Bordeleau all scored for Devils last weekend, when they defeated Coventry and Edinburgh, while Welshman Phillips netted a crucial goal for Steelers when they played Cardiff away.
Former NHL players Bordeleau and David Brine will link with Jones and Piggott, who will rotate in and out to join them, will link up for Devils, while Ferrera, captain Phillips and Swedish ace Yared Hagos could be the Sheffield fourth liners.
Devils host the Challenge Cup final at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay on Sunday (4pm) and it’s clear Adams would love to see Andrew Lord’s team lift the trophy.
“I love the Devils fans, they know that – I didn’t want to leave, ever,” says Adams, who works in a managerial capacity for Royal Mail.
“They are a great group and I am so happy the club is where it is today. They deserve every minute of joy right now.
“As for who I think will win in the final, my head tells me one team will win and my heart tells me the other team so interpret that any way you want to.”
That, for me, means G would love to see Devils win, but feels Sheffield might edge it on the day.
“Playing on home ice is not an advantage for Devils, not in a one-off game like this,” he says. “It’s going to be a fantastic occasion and a massive day for Devils fans in particular.
“They were ‘homeless’ for so long in terms of playing at the temporary Big Blue Tent rink, but now they are in their new arena and hosting a cup final. They will be desperate to win it.”
Devils have gone close to winning the Elite League title in each of last two seasons, while they suffered defeat in sudden death overtime against Nottingham in last seasons cup final.
“Teams often have to experience losing before they can win,” says Adams. “Hopefully the lessons they have learned will pay off for them now.”
Adams says a turning point in the final could come if one of the coaches, Cardiff’s Lord or Sheffield’s Paul Thompson, comes up with something unexpected.
“Watch out for one of the teams throwing in something their opponents have not seen before, maybe on the powerplay or even penalty kill,” says Adams. “It won’t be anything drastic, but the element of surprise could be a factor.”
Devils travel to play Manchester Storm in an Elite League match at their Altrincham rink on Friday (7.30pm), while Sheffield face Coventry Blaze on Saturday.
The final, at Ice Arena Wales, is already a 3,000-plus sell-out and both teams will have strong support.
Sunday’s final is being broadcast live at the Bierkeller in Cardiff (4pm face-off). There are 300 guaranteed seats available and they can be booked for £5 on a first come, first served basis by calling 08455 333 000.
Entry to the Bierkeller for the cup final will also cost £5 on the day.