Andrew Lord says his Cardiff Devils team face dangerous opponents in their Challenge Cup clash with Guildford Flames on Wednesday (7pm).
The home team have the two highest points scorers in Elite League ice hockey – John Dunbar 42 and Calle Ackered 40 – and have already crushed the Welsh club 8-4 at the Guildford Spectrum.
“They are dangerous opposition, no doubt about that,” says Lord. “But we are a team keen to be in the hunt for honours and we are focussed on this next challenge.
“The games are coming fast and furious, but all out thoughts are on this first leg game at Guildford.”
Devils follow their trip to Flames by going to Braehead Clan in Glasgow on Friday then returning home for Saturday’s match against Dundee Stars at Ice Arena Wales.
Lord revealed he was called into action an hour before the clash with Braehead in Cardiff Bay last weekend when Paul Crowder was forced to cry off.
That was a blow after Crowder, Justin Faryna and Joey Haddad scored all four goals in the 4-1 win against Sheffield Steelers on Saturday.
“The news on Crowder wasn’t good and the decision was made an hour before face-off,” said Lord, who had been on the bench against Sheffield.
“We slipped Mo (Jake Morissette) in there.”
Crowder was close to being available, while Mark Louis and Josh Batch are also making good progress and Devils are close to having all import players available.
Their only long-term absentee is Scottish forward Craig Moore.
Flames will be without Canadian winger Rhett Rachinski against Devils after he was suspended for two matches. The League department of player safety banned Rachinski for checking from behind against Edinburgh Capitals.
Edinburgh Capitals head coach Dmitri Khristich has left the club.
Ukrainian-born Khristich, a former NHL player, arrived at Murrayfield in the summer with the task of getting the club to the play-offs after replacing Michal Dobron.
“This is a results business and right now the results speak for themselves,” said Khristich.
“I’ve been involved in hockey for a long time and I know that sometimes a new approach can kick start a team.
“I’m hoping my departure will help the club to improve its fortunes during the remainder of the season. I’ve enjoyed my time there and I wish them well going forward.”
Edinburgh are currently bottom of the Elite League table, with only three wins in 24 games and 19 points adrift of the top eight.
In the meantime, Mike D’Orazio has agreed to join assistant coach Jock Hay in sharing the coaching duties.
Cardiff Devils remaining fixtures during December:
Wednesday 20: v Guildford Flames (away, Challenge Cup first leg, 7pm)
Friday 22 v Braehead Clan (away, 7.30pm)
Saturday 23 v Dundee Stars (home, 7pm)
Tuesday 26 v Coventry Blaze (home, 6pm)
Wednesday 27 v Coventry Blaze (away, 7.30pm)
Saturday 30 v MK Lightning (home, 7pm)
Tickets for Cardiff’s home fixture against Braehead (6pm) are available and ticket information can be obtained via ONLINE HERE
To be redirected to the full fixtures list CLICK HERE