Elite League table – top four
Pl Pts
Cardiff Devils 17 27
Sheffield Steelers 13 20
Belfast Giants 15 19
Fife Flyers 15 18
By Terry Phillips
Cardiff Devils face an exhausting 13 matches in 32 days between now and the new year.
The Elite League leaders have nine of those fixtures at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay – and that run includes three home games against second-placed Sheffield Steelers.
Captain Jake Morissette and his Devils have already defeated Steelers away three times this season, one of those in the Challenge Cup, but they have also lost 5-4 on home ice to the Yorkshire club.
Devils also take on Nottingham Panthers three times during the remaining matches in 2016 twice at home and once away.
The next test for Devils is against bottom club Coventry Blaze away on Saturday (7pm) before Steelers arrive at the IAW on Sunday (6pm).
Blaze lost three games in three days last weekend, suffering an 8-2 defeat at Edinburgh Capitals on Sunday.
After the heavy loss in Scotland Blaze coach Danny Stewart said: “We were tiered, low on confidence.
“We have to find a way of picking ourselves up. I would like to think we have reached rock bottom and will push on from here.
“The mentality in our dressing room is at an all-time low and we have to put that right.”
Devils have won their last three league fixtures and will not underestimate a Coventry team who are certain to be fired up for Saturday’s match.
Cardiff will then play Steelers at home the next evening and Panthers, also in Cardiff Bay, there days later.
Remaining fixtures in 2016
November
Saturday 26 v Coventry Blaze (away)
Sunday 27 v Sheffield Steelers (home)
Wednesday 30 v Nottingham Panthers (home)
December
Saturday 3 v Edinburgh Capitals (home)
Wednesday 7 v Dundee Stars (away, Challenge Cup first leg)
Saturday 10 v Nottingham Panthers (home)
Sunday 11 v Sheffield Steelers (home)
Saturday 17 v Sheffield Steelers (home)
Sunday 18 v Nottingham Panthers (away)
Wednesday 21 v Dundee Stars (home, Challenge Cup second leg)
Friday 23 v Manchester Storm (home)
Monday 26 v Coventry Blaze (away)
Tuesday 27 v Coventry Blaze (home)