Cardiff Devils Fans Stand Up For Their Team – And Players Produce Challenge Cup High Five

Cardiff Devils 5, Coventry Blaze 1

Devils fans stood to honour their team – and captain Joey Martin’s reacted with a five-goal reaction.

The new Viola Arena terraces – situated in block 13 – proved a massive winner. 

An outstanding on-ice performance was matched by a near sell-out crowd supporters in the standing block sang, chanted and drummed through the entire 60 minutes.

“It was unbelievable,” said coach Andrew Lord. “I took a moment at the end and though about how far it’s gone over the last five years.

“It was crazy, like being at a DEL game in Germany. Our thank go out to the fans for all the support and energy.

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“It was fantastic that block 13 brought it all night and, in truth, everybody in the arena was awesome.”

Devils scored three goals in one minute two seconds and left Blaze crushed in this Challenge Cup group clash.

Man of the match Martin returned from injury to lead the team, while Blair Riley and Mike McNamee missed the match because of injuries.

Cardiff suffered back-to-back defeats last weekend – 2-6 v Glasgow Clan and 1-5 against Blaze – and bounced back in style.

Now they travel to play rivals Sheffield Steelers in an Elite League match this afternoon (4pm).

“Steelers have an extremely good team with tons of high level skill,” said Lord. “They have workers, too, and are direct when you consider how skilled they are.

“Sheffield are deep throughout their line-up. It will be a different pace than the game against Coventry, more back and forth. Going into Sheffield is always tough, but it’s a fun night.”

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Welshman Jonathan Phillips, a former Devils player, is Steelers captain and says: “This is where we will get a much better idea where we are as a club. 

“Devils have been the number one club for three years now. They are the big test for all clubs and we need to be better than we have in the past. “We believe we are, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. It will also be a home debut for Lucas Sandström, in what will be a tough opening weekend for him.”

Steelers went down in Manchester on Saturday, but will be a major test for Cardiff in their own arena.

Match stats:

Goals, Devils: Stephen Dixon 1+0, Matt Pope 1+0, Bryce Reddick 1+0, Gleason Fournier 1+0, Joey Martin 1+0, Sean McMonagle 0+1, Sam Jardine 0+1, Joey Haddad 0+1, Masi Marjamaki 0+1, Mark Richardson 0+2, Matias Sointu 0+2, Charles Linglet 0+2. 

Blaze: David Broll 1+0, Justin Hache 0+1, Andrew Johnston 0+1.

Period scores (Devils first): 1-1; 3-0 (4-1); 1-0 (5-1)

Man of the match: Joey Martin

Referees: Tom Pering, Andrew Miller 

Penalties in minutes: Devils 4+4+2=10, Blaze 8+10+2=20

Devils line-up:

Goalie: Ben Bowns

First line: Gleason Fournier, Mark Richardson, Charles Linglet, Stephen Dixon, Matias Sointu

Second line: Sean McMonagle, Mark Louis, Josh Batch, Matthew Myers, Masi Marjamaki

Third line: Sam Jardine, Bryce Reddick, Sean Bentivoglio, Joey Martin, Matt Pope

Fourth line: Toms Rutkiss, Joey Haddad, Sam Duggan.

Sunday fixtures:

4pm Nottingham Panthers v Glasgow Clan

Round two of Panthers v Clan this weekend in Nottingham sees the Panthers entertain the current league leaders – Glasgow went top of the EIHL thanks to Saturday’s win.

Glasgow are aiming for a fourth successive road win.

“I hope the guys have got a good sleep and come ready to work,” says Panthers head coach Tim Wallace. “We have to be better at home. The performance in Glasgow wasn’t good enough.”

5.30pm Coventry Blaze v Manchester Storm (Webcast)

Storm are looking to make it a four-point weekend after defeating Sheffield, while Coventry return home from Cardiff after a loss. Blaze have earned only one win in their last six games.

6pm Guildford Flames v Dundee Stars

Guildford and Dundee do battle for the second time this weekend. Stars came out on top in Scotland, earning their second league win of the season, while Guildford are in with two other teams with one win to their name.