Todd Kelman has urged Cardiff Devils fans to ‘stand up for their team’.
Guildford Flames, currently top of Cardiff’s Challenge Cup group, visit the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay on Sunday and Devils general manager Kelman has thrown down the gauntlet.
“Okay, Devils fans I’m calling you out,” said Kelman, who is keen to see the block 13 standing section at their rink sold out for Sunday’s game.
He addressed supporters in a tweet, saying: “You asked for the standing section, the players love it, I love it and we have spots to fill in block 13.
“Where are you?”
The move has been a success and Devils have confirmed they will keep a standing section for every match over the rest of this season. Those supporters wishing to move for this Sunday can e-mail tickets@cardiffdevils.com with their seat information.
“Please let us know if you would like to do this for the remainder of the season or for for Sunday only,” said a club statement. “We will be allocating seats each week in block 13 and fans can choose game-by-game on a first come, first served basis.
“A number of season ticket holders have expressed an interest in moving to block 13 for the remainder of the season, but are concerned that they will lose the right to go back to their regular seats next season if they do not want to remain in the standing section.
“Anybody moving to the standing section will still have first refusal to book their original season ticket seat for the 2020-21”.
Devils complete their Challenge Cup group fixtures by playing Guildford away on Saturday (6pm), while Flames visit the Viola Arena on Sunday (4pm).
They will then play a third match in five days by playing Coventry Blaze at home next Wednesday (7.30pm).
Two teams make progress to the cup quarter-finals from Cardiff’s group and they are one point behind leaders Flames.
Still 18 seats remaining in Block 13…this standing block belongs to you, time to fill it up. Please email tickets@cardiffdevils.com to move your seats or call 08000842666 to book tickets.
— Andrew Lord (@AndrewLord17) October 26, 2019
Flames earned an overtime win in Coventry during midweek to go top of the group and a win would all but put the Flames into the next round due to their better head-to-head record against Blaze.
A win for Cardiff would put them back on top of the group and head coach Andrew Lord says: “We know what a dangerous team Guildford can be.
“Since we last played them they’ve been steadily moving up the Elite League table, collecting some impressive wins.
“They are not a team you can afford to give any sort of head start to.”
Flames coach Paul Dixon said: “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. These are two massive cup games against Cardiff Devils this weekend and we don’t have time to spend too much time patting ourselves on the back from the win in Coventry.
“We were back on the ice Friday to complete our preparation for Cardiff.”
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS for the home clashes with Flames (Sunday) and Blaze (next Wednesday) or call 0800 0842 666
Challenge Cup group (top two qualify for quarter-finals)
| Team | GP | PTS | W | OTW | L | OTL/SOL | GF | GA | PTS % |
| 1 Guildford Flames | 5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 17 | 0.70 |
| 2 Cardiff Devils | 5 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 15 | 0.60 |
| 3 Coventry Blaze | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 0.42 |