Andrew Lord is delighted to have a week off from matches.

Cardiff Devils head coach needed time with players in training and said: “It’s great to be back in practice mode.”

Devils won 3-2 at Coventry Blaze in their latest match and kept alive hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.

They must win their final group game at home against Blaze on Saturday, October 28 to ensure they finish third behind Milton Keynes Lightning and Guildford Flames.

Coventry also have to play Flames at home, but defeat in Cardiff Bay will mean they cannot catch Devils.

“That was a huge win (v Blaze),” said Lord at Coventry’s Skydome. “We’ve been bouncing back and forth between Champions League and Elite League hockey.

“That’s thrown us off for some reason. It is such a different game (in the CHL), the pace is different, the style is different and the refereeing is different.

“They are not excuses because we needed to adjust quicker, but those factors have had a big impact.

“To find a way to win at Coventry with everything going on was huge. It was a strange game and we got into penalty trouble which killed our momentum.

“We had a great first five minutes, rebounded in the second and did well. Coventry played hard and the battle, but we found a way to win.

“We were a bit short benched, but other players stepped up for the team. Josh Batch was playing on defence and offence.

“We’ve had midweek matches for a month and it’s great to have a full week of practice and that also allows guys to heal up.

“Our cup home match against Coventry is huge now, but that is a week or so away for us.”

Patrick Asselin and Joey Haddad missed the game at Coventry, while Mark Richardson missed almost two periods after taking a knock. All three have minor injuries with Asselin already virtually certain to play this weekend.

Lord’s men are focused on Saturday’s League match at Sheffield Steelers (7pm) and the home fixture against Nottingham Panthers the following evening (6pm).

Tickets for Cardiff’s home match against Panthers are on sale through the Devils online booking system. Visit the official Cardiff Devils website, call 0800 0842 666 or book in person at Ice Arena Wales reception.