Cardiff Fire Home Win On Sunday Will Clinch League Title

Cardiff Fire can win a second successive ice hockey league title this weekend.

They won National League Division Two a year ago and are now on the brink of repeating that feat.

They will clinch the title with a home win against Swindon Wildcats at Ice Arena Wales on Sunday (6pm).

This time, though, Fire believe they can push on and go for a triple crown.

Captain Sam Smith and his team have have a 100 per cent record after 13 matches in league and cup, beating Wightlink 7-1 last weekend, and stand top of the table.

They have already qualified for the cup finals weekend, to be played at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff during April.

Fire will also be pressing hard for success in the end-of-season play-offs and are keen to clinch promotion and take their place in Division One next season.

They need two more points to clinch a second successive league title and victory against Swindon would deliver those.

Fire have seen some decent attendances at Ice Arena Wales this season and are hopeful a strong Cardiff hockey fan base will turn out for a big match.

Cardiff Devils have back-to-back Elite League fixtures against Belfast Giants on Friday and Saturday, while they are without a game on Sunday.

That leaves it open for Devils fans to witness Fire’s title tilt.

Swindon Wildcats will be no pushovers though. Swindon have a good young team with plenty of quality.

There have been some entertaining games against Wildcats this season including a close fought 3-2 victory in Cardiff for the Fire.

Head coach Mark Cuddihy has strengthened his team for the run-in to the end of 2016-17, adding assistant coach Dan Blakemore to the roster.

He will wear number 91 and add cover on defence, returning to playing after retiring a year ago.

Cuddihy says: “As coaches we discussed trying to bring in a D man before the end of the transfer window in January.

“We have a big squad, but are sometimes left short on D. I asked Blakes if he’d consider a return a month ago and he’s been skating with the team and working on his fitness off the ice.

“We felt we could be exposed at the back if we were to pick up any injuries or suspensions so wanted to add one more player. It makes perfect sense for us to use Blakes.

“He will still be a coach and won’t dress for every game because he is needed on the bench, but we’d like him to dress in enough games so that he is qualified for the play-offs in April.

“He will skate with the team full time in practice and will slot straight in.”

Tickets for Sunday’s Fire v Wildcats clash at the IAW will cost £6 adults, £3 concessions, £1 children, £12 for a family ticket.