Benti Ban Called Off And He Plays Against Panthers

Sean Bentivoglio has been given the go-ahead to play for Cardiff Devils this weekend.

Elite League officials have cancelled the one-match ban he was facing after being thrown out of the Cardiff’s 8-3 win against Guildford Flames.

Canadian Bentivoglio was assessed a match penalty for checking to the head, but League officials have reviewed the video and have decided the check on Liam Stewart was legal.

A statement says: “The Department of Player Safety has deemed the check a legal play and the automatic one game suspension normally enforced with a match penalty will not be applicable.

“With Guildford Flames player Liam Stewart attempting to gain control of the puck, Bentivoglio made body to body contact with the his back left shoulder.

“Bentivoglio had his stick on the ice (no wind up into check), stayed plain (no elevation) and did not target the head, nor was there any evidence of any head contact on the play.

“DOPS support the on-ice call made by game officials, who had to make a judgement call on the play with only one view of the incident in real time, compared to the frame by frame replays, with multiple views and different angles, available during the review.”

Devils travel to play Nottingham Panthers on Saturday (7pm), while they play Fife Flyers at Ice Arena Wales on Sunday (6pm).

There are only less than 50 tickets left for the clash with Flyers, who are potentially Cardiff’s biggest rivals for the title.

Matt Thompson and Jan Schmejkal are the referee’s for Panthers v Devils, while Mike Hicks and Matt Rose are in charge of the home clash with Flyers.

This weekend’s fixtures are the start of a gruelling spell for Devils, who play six matches in 12 days between now and the end of this month.

Remaining Cardiff Devils fixtures in January: tonight v Nottingham Panthers (away, 7pm); tomorrow v Fife Flyers (home, 6pm); Wednesday 24 v Braehead Clan (away, 7.30pm); Saturday 27 v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm); Sunday 28 v Coventry Blaze (away, 5.15pm); Wednesday 31 v Sheffield Steelers (away, Challenge Cup, 7.30pm).

The second leg of Devils Challenge Cup semi-final against Steelers is at Ice Arena Wales on Wednesday, February 7 (7.30pm).

That match is not included on season tickets, but holders will have their regular seat held until 5pm on Monday, January 29.

Tickets for all Cardiff Devils fixtures, including Sunday’s home match against Fife Flyers, are available via CLICK HERE or CALL 0800 0842 666 to book.

CLICK HERE to be redirected to the full fixtures list.

ELITE LEAGUE STANDINGS

Rk	Team	GP	W	L	WPCT	Pts
1	Cardiff Devils	33	25	6	.788	52
2	Belfast Giants	35	24	10	.700	49
3	Fife Flyers	30	22	8	.733	44
4	Guildford Flames	34	18	10	.618	42
5	Sheffield Steelers	33	19	11	.621	41
6	Manchester Storm	34	18	11	.603	41
7	Nottingham Panthers	32	18	11	.609	39
8	Braehead Clan	35	14	17	.457	32
9	Coventry Blaze	35	14	17	.457	32
10	Milton Keynes Lightning	34	13	20	.397	27
11	Dundee Stars	33	12	18	.409	27
12	Edinburgh Capitals	34	4	29	.132	9