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Cardiff Devils are intent on smashing their Elite League play-offs curse.
They have qualified for the finals weekend 12 times during the Elite era, but have failed to lift the trophy.
It’s been almost two decades since Devils were last crowned champions, in 1999 when Paul Heavey was head coach, while they lost in a heart-wrenching final a year ago.
Sheffield Steelers won a dramatic final in sudden death overtime and the same teams line-up for the 2018 final at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
http://https://youtu.be/_XIo6enRKqE
It took more than 90 minutes to decide issue last April with Levi Nelson firing the winner for Sheffield.
Devils are Elite League title winners for a second successive seasons, while they also won the Erhardt Conference.
Now they go for a treble trophy triumph in the PredictorBet play-offs final.
Devils have won six of 10 matches against Steelers in 2017-18 meetings and coach Andrew Lord has a fully fit squad to select from.
Defenceman Drew Paris sat out the 4-0 semi-final win against Fife Flyers with the influential Bryce Reddick returning.
Steve won 5-4 after overtime in their semi-final against Nottingham Panthers.
John Armstrong scored Sheffield’s winning goal after Nottingham had been 4-2 ahead.
The PredictorBet Play-off Grand Final is being shown LIVE on the BBC on connected (or smart) TVs, the BBC Sport app and on the BBC Sport website here. The puck drops at 4pm at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham.
Former Cardiff Devils youth coach Peter Russell is heading home to Scotland.
Great Britain national team coach Russell says his return to Glasgow is a ‘dream move’ after agreeing to replace John Tripp in charge at Braehead Clan.
Russell, a 43-year-old Scot joins Clan arrives after three years at Milton Keynes Lightning.
“I’ve been away from Scotland for a long time and I almost got the chance to come a year ago, but the timing wasn’t right my family and I,” he said.
“I am from the West of Scotland and joining Clan is a dream move for me. My mum and dad live 35 miles from the rink and I have family in Glasgow so, selfishly, it wasn’t something I could turn down.
“For me, it’s about building relationships with the fans and getting the players and fans together with an exciting, hardworking, blue collar, brand of hockey, which is what Glasgow is all about.
“I want to bring people into the arena and help get them off their seats. When that building gets going, it can be a cauldron and I’m excited to join the Clan.”
Russell has achieved success with the GB national team since taking charge in 2015, including a gold medal at last year’s World Championships.
He has also coached the Bracknell Bees, Slough Jets and Swindon Wildcats in the EPL, winning the playoffs and cup on two separate occasions.
