Joey Martin – the GOAT to Cardiff Devils fans – is Elite Ice Hockey League Player of the week.
Canadian hit-man Martin – nicknamed the Greatest Of All Time – to Devils fans fired a hat-trick against MK Lightning in a 6-5 win at the Viola Arena and scored in Cardiff’s 6-4 win in Milton Keynes.
“It always feels good to be producing and contributing to the team’s success,” said Martin. “We have a lot of big games at this time of year, so the confidence is also pretty good.”
Devils face back-to-back Elite fixtures against closest rivals Belfast Giants this weekend with the first game on Friday and a second on the following evening. Both are at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
Cardiff had to work hard against MK Lightning and Martin said: “They are a really hard-working team with a lot of skill.
“Their top line especially did some damage against us so we had to be careful when we were out there. They have some good players, and I thought they really worked hard.
“It shows how far this league has come. In past years there were a few games where you could kind of show up and know you were going to win, go through the motions.
“Now, though, perhaps, can’t do that which is really positive for the league.
“We have an exciting weekend ahead, play-off hockey. These are the kind of games that everyone gets excited for and where you have to bring your very best.”
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Click link for full fixtures list
Cardiff Devils remaining 14 Elite League fixtures
February
Friday 22 v Belfast Giants (away, 7pm)
Saturday 23 v Belfast Giants (away, 7pm)
Wednesday 27 v Glasgow Clan (home, 7.30pm)
March
Saturday 2 v Coventry Blaze (away, 7pm)
Sunday 3 v Sheffield Steelers (home, 4pm) – this game does not count on season tickets
Thursday 7 v Fife Flyers (away, 7.30pm)
Friday 8 v Guildford Flames (home, 7.30pm)
Saturday 16 v Sheffield Steelers (away, 7pm)
Sunday 17 v Glasgow Clan (home, 6pm)
Wednesday 20 v Glasgow Clan (away, 7.30pm)
Saturday 23 v Manchester Storm (home, 7pm)
Sunday 24 v Dundee Stars (away, 5pm)
Saturday 30 v MK Lightning (home, 7pm)
Sunday 31 v Coventry Blaze (away, 5.15pm)
ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2018-19
| TEAM | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | PCT | GF | GA | PIM | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiff Devils | 46 | 34 | 7 | 5 | 73 | .793 | 188 | 122 | 533 | 2-0 |
| Belfast Giants | 47 | 34 | 11 | 2 | 70 | .745 | 185 | 119 | 603 | 0-1 |
| Glasgow Clan | 48 | 29 | 15 | 4 | 62 | .646 | 176 | 141 | 607 | 2-0 |
| Nottingham Panthers | 51 | 24 | 18 | 9 | 57 | .559 | 153 | 160 | 810 | 0-2 |
| Guildford Flames | 50 | 25 | 20 | 5 | 55 | .550 | 162 | 153 | 616 | 4-0 |
| Sheffield Steelers | 50 | 24 | 23 | 3 | 51 | .510 | 148 | 171 | 683 | 0-2 |
| Fife Flyers | 45 | 22 | 18 | 5 | 49 | .544 | 147 | 154 | 647 | 0-2 |
| Coventry Blaze | 46 | 21 | 18 | 7 | 49 | .533 | 167 | 180 | 579 | 3-0 |
| Dundee Stars | 48 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 48 | .500 | 135 | 163 | 451 | 0-1 |
| Manchester Storm | 49 | 21 | 23 | 5 | 47 | .480 | 142 | 168 | 1021 | 1-0 |
| Milton Keynes Lightning | 48 | 12 | 32 | 4 | 28 | .292 | 116 | 188 | 849 | 0-3 |