Cardiff Devils Coach Andrew Lord Planning For Big Future

Andrew Lord is planning ahead and preparing to go for glory again.

Elite League champions Cardiff Devils won three trophies in the season just ended and have qualified for the 2017-18 European Champions League.

“This has been one of the best, if not the best, seasons in our club’s history,” said Lord. “We are intent on ensuring the Devils keep making progress as a team.”

Devils won the League, Challenge Cup and Erhardt Conference, but suffered a heartbreak defeat against Sheffield Steelers in the play-off final after two periods of sudden death overtime.

“We missed out on an ultimate dream, the Grand Slam, by one shot. But this was one of the best years of our hockey lives and one shot cannot wipe out everything we achieved.

“The final was one of the best games I have ever been involved with. What a showcase for the League. It was a pleasure to be out there.”

Cardiff led 3-1 after the first period, but suffered in the second as Steelers hit back to go ahead. Devils fought hard and forced the game into overtime with a 5-5 scoreline.

“How many teams could turn things around in the way our players did?” said Lord. “If I could turn the clock back and be a player for any team this would be the one.

“I’ve played on bad teams where guys only care about their own points and themselves, but for the last three years we’ve had a great group of guys.

“They give their team everything. These players make up a great team.”

While the Devils have ended their season, five players are with Great Britain preparing for the World Championships.

Elite League netminder of the year Ben Bowns and Thomas Murdy are the goalies, while Mark Richardson will again be part of the Team GB top six defencemen rotation.

Richardson has played for his country since the 2002-03 season and is one of the assistant captains. Joining Richardson for the third successive World Championship is Josh Batch.

Devils fifth player with GB is Matthew Myers, who will play in his 14th World Championship. Cardiff-born Myers has been a part of the GB programme since he turned professional.

Myers says the training camp has been impressive as Great Britain prepare for two international matches against Poland this weekend.

GB’s 28-man squad met in Coventry on Tuesday evening and Myers said: “We have had intense training sessions and everyone looked impressive out there.

“It was great to get the GB boys back together and there is always a good spirit when we are out on the ice together.

“We battle hard all season long against each other, but the bond between us is fantastic and training already is a great place to be.

“We are looking forward to taking on Poland. They are a fantastic side and these two matches are always fun to play in.”

The GB v Poland matches are in Nottingham on Friday (7.30pm) and Coventry the next day (1pm).

Both matches are available to watch live on a webcast.

Commentary in Nottingham will come from the BBC’s Seth Bennett and in Coventry, commentary will come from Ed Kimberley. Both will be joined by guests from the GB camp.

Each webcast costs £8 and can be purchased via cleancutlive.com