Cardiff Devils set out to fire up their Elite League title challenge when they take on MK Lightning away this evening (Thursday, 7.30pm).
The clash with Lightning is the start of an exhausting run of six matches in 11 days – four away and two at home. MK face ab even busier schedule with six matches in nine days.
Devils won 5-2 in Manchester last time and have won seven of their last eight away games since early November.
They are one place and four points behind leaders Belfast with three games in hand on the Giants.
“This season is quickly turning into one of the most exciting in the time I’ve been here,” says Devils captain Jake Morissette, who is in his sixth season with the club.
https://twitter.com/MKLightning/status/1075474603420590080
“Everyone seems capable of beating any other team on a given night. Despite a difficult start, MK have found some really good form and beat us in our own barn so there’ll be no complacency.
“We have to play like we did against Manchester on Saturday and keep the intensity for the full 60 minutes.”
Lightning won 3-2 after overtime at the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay last month and they have won their last three successive home games in a row.
“It’s always a tough game against Cardiff Devils,” says player-coach Tim Wallace, a veteran of more than 100 NHL appearances.
“They have an experienced group and are a top team in this league.
“We need to get to the net and go to the hard areas. They have some big, strong defencemen who won’t make it easy for us.”
Tickets for the Lightning v Devils match will remain on sale right through until the 7.30pm face-off at the Planet Ice MK Arena.
https://twitter.com/MKLightning/status/1075697324578562048
Remaining Devils fixtures in 2018:
December
Thursday 20 v MK Lightning (away, 7.30pm)
Saturday 22 v Dundee Stars (home, 7pm)
Sunday 23 v Guildford Flames (away, 6pm)
Boxing Day, Wednesday 26 v Coventry Blaze (away, 6pm)
Thursday 27 v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm)
Sunday 30 v Guildford Flames (away, 6pm)
TICKETS for Devils home games available ONLINE HERE or by calling 0800 0842 666 or in person at the reception desk at VIOLA ARENA right up until face-off at 6pm.
The final four of this season’s Elite League Challenge Cup are now set.
Based on the original seeding, Belfast Giants (as top seeds from the group stage) face the lowest seeds remaining, Glasgow Clan.
Nottingham Panthers, as next highest seeds, face Guildford Flames.
Dates and times for the semi-final matches will be announced due course.
The higher seeded team from the group stage has preference over home ice advantage in the second leg (subject to ice time availabilities).
ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2018/19
| TEAM | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | PCT | GF | GA | PIM | STREAK |
| Belfast Giants | 28 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 42 | .750 | 107 | 63 | 404 | 1-0 |
| Cardiff Devils | 25 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 38 | .760 | 102 | 69 | 325 | 1-0 |
| Nottingham Panthers | 30 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 38 | .633 | 95 | 90 | 508 | 0-4 |
| Fife Flyers | 27 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 34 | .630 | 95 | 88 | 359 | 1-0 |
| Guildford Flames | 26 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 29 | .558 | 89 | 81 | 347 | 1-0 |
| Dundee Stars | 28 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 28 | .500 | 77 | 94 | 308 | 1-0 |
| Sheffield Steelers | 27 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 26 | .481 | 80 | 89 | 391 | 0-1 |
| Glasgow Clan | 24 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 25 | .521 | 73 | 83 | 292 | 1-0 |
| Coventry Blaze | 26 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 25 | .481 | 82 | 95 | 360 | 0-1 |
| Manchester Storm | 27 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 23 | .426 | 75 | 98 | 747 | 0-2 |
| Milton Keynes Lightning | 26 | 9 | 15 | 2 | 20 | .385 | 65 | 90 | 541 | 2-0 |