‘Leaders Cardiff Devils Can Be Caught’ Says Belfast Giants Coach Derrick Walser

Belfast Giants head coach Derrick Walser believes the Elite League title chase will go right down to the last weekend of this season.

Cardiff Devils are five points clear of second-placed Giants with Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers also in contention.

Walser brings his Giants to Ice Arena Wales for a crunch clash this Saturday (7pm), while the two rivals have back-to-back fixtures, again in Cardiff Bay, over the last weekend of 2016-17 on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26.

“We play Devils in the two matches of the season and it would be great to have four teams still in the chase at that stage so that nobody knows who will come out on top,” says former NHL player Walser.

“Steelers and Panthers can still close the gap, while we are intent on maintaining our challenge.

“It would be awesome for Elite League if the title chase goes right down to the wire.”

Devils have missed out on the title by two points behind Steelers in 2015 and 2016, but they have been frontrunners for a long time in the current campaign.

“Cardiff learned a lot from their experience last season,” says Walser. “They have good depth, good size and a good mix of players. They are well prepared and will battle right through to the end.”

Devils will be without hard man Patrick Bordeleau against Giants this weekend.

‘Bordy’ was thrown out for checking to the head inside the final two minutes of Cardiff’s penalty shoot-out win at Braehead Clan on Sunday and the match penalty means he must sit it out this weekend.

The Department for player safety will also review the incident and have the power to increase his suspension beyond one game.

Ticket information for this Saturday’s League clash with rivals Belfast – Cardiff’s only match of the weekend – is available via the club’s official website at http://www.cardiffdevils.com or the hotline on 0800 0842 666.

**Devils have confirmed the dates for their Challenge Cup semi-final matches against Belfast Giants.

The first leg will be at Ice Arena Wales on Wednesday, February 1 (7.30pm) with the return in Belfast on Wednesday, February 8 (7pm).

Giants host the second leg because they finished higher in their group stage.

Tickets for the February 1 home game will go on sale shortly. That fixture is not included on 2016-17 season tickets, but those seats will be reserved for holders.

Tickets for the home game are now on sale.

Non-season ticket holders can book either online via the club’s official website, by calling 0800 0842 666 or by booking in person from the reception area at Ice Arena Wales.

The semi-final game is not included in season ticket packages, but seats are reserved until January 21. The price if seats are booked before that date will be £12 adults, £10 concessions and £6 for children.

The second semi-final features Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers.

Elite League – top six (all teams play 52 fixtures)

Pl Pts

1 Cardiff Devils 31 48

2 Belfast Giants 31 43

3 Sheffield Steelers 28 43

4 Nottingham Panthers 30 37

5 Braehead Clan 32 32

6 Fife Flyers 31 31