There is a real edge to the Challenge Cup final clash between Cardiff Devils and Sheffield Steelers today (Sunday, 4pm).
The one-off final is being played at Cardiff’s Ice Arena Wales and all 3,088 tickets, the majority split between the two clubs, were snapped up some time ago.
Hundreds more Devils fans will be at Cardiff’s Bierkeller where the match is being beamed back live on the giant screen.
Patrick Bordeleau, Devils’ 6ft 6ins enforcer, and Yorkshireman Ben Bowns have both said publicly they hate Steelers, while Jonathan Phillips, Sheffield’s Welsh captain, has talked of his teams revenge mission.
Devils defeated Steelers in the final two years when the final was played at Sheffield’s rink and that still hurts.
Both Phillips and coach Paul Thompson complained bitterly when Sheffield’s request to switch their Elite League match against Coventry Blaze away from the night before the final was rejected.
Blaze agreed, but Devils rightly said it was against League rules to change a fixture that late. Both Cardiff and Nottingham had ensured their League matches were arranged for Friday night in case they qualified for the final, giving them 24 hours rest.
Sheffield failed to take that precaution and had they been allowed to bring the Coventry Blaze match forward to last Wednesday, as they wanted, it would have handed them a massive advantage going into the final.
Devils won 4-2 at Manchester Storm in Friday, while Steelers surprisingly crashed 4-1 against Coventry.
Thompson’s team are now 10 points behind leaders Devils with six fixture left.
Cardiff coach Andrew Lord has made sure his Devils team have taken advantage of their day off on Saturday, saying: “The guys are ready and full of confidence. We know Steelers are one heck of a team and we must be prepared for their speed in what will be an extremely intense match.
“They have real quality up and down their line-up. Their captain, Jonathan Phillips, normally plays on the fourth line, and has tons of energy. He has chipped in with some big goals, including scoring against us the last time they came to Cardiff.
“They have so many top players. Mathieu Roy, Ben O’Connor and so many more.
“The big thing for us is focusing on what we can do. When we play our way it can be extremely effective.
“This game is extra special because it’s in Cardiff. My message to the players is let’s go and play relentless hockey with our usual passion. If we do that we’ll have a good chance of coming out on top.”
Sheffield were without Colton Fretter and Andreas Valdix at Coventry in Friday, while Roy was caught with a huge hit by Kevin Noble in the early stages.
Chris Culligan is the only doubt for Devils. He has almost recovered from an injury, but missed Friday’s match at Manchester.
Tom Pering and Tom Darnell are the referees in a four-man officiating team for the final. Andy Dalton and Lee Young are linesmen.
Elite League – top four only
All teams play 52 matches
Pl Pts
1 Cardiff Devils 46 73
2 Belfast Giants 46 66
3 Sheffield Steelers 46 63
4 Nottingham Panthers 44 50