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Flames are back in Cardiff Bay this afternoon – and they are out to burn Giants in the Challenge Cup final at Viola Arena.
Cardiff-born forward Ben Davies is in the Guildford Flames line-up and they have made their second trip to South Wales in three days.
They were beaten 2-0 by Cardiff Devils in an Elite League match on Friday, headed home to Surrey on the same night and skated yesterday in their own rink.
They are back at the Viola Arena today looking to add to the conference title they have already won this season..
Coach Paul Dixon’s Flames have lost only two of their last nine games, including the defeat against Cardiff, but like the Giants have struggled a little away with three wins from their last seven.
Flames are likely to start Chris Carrozzi, the goalie who helped them through the previous rounds, between the pipes.
“We had a pre-game skate in Guildford yesterday and that helped us to get Friday’s defeat our of our system,” says Dixon.
“We started to focus on the cup final and got the excitement going within our group.
“We know what’s at stake, and what type of team we’re facing. We’ll have to be at our best.”
Giants won 5-4 against Glasgow Clan on a League match at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Friday and are four points behind leaders Devils with seven matches to play.
Today, though, coach Adam Keefe and his team will put League title hopes out of their minds and focus on holding on to the Challenge Cup they won last season.
“The message after our game against Glasgow was that we got the job done and could focus on the cup final,” said Keefe.
“We know how good Guildford are and can’t take them lightly. But we’d also love to win this trophy again.”
Challenge Cup final at the Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay: 4pm Belfast Giants vs. Cardiff Devils Tickets | Webcast
What you need to know…
Overtime: If the game is tied after 60 minutes, we play continuous, 20 minute sudden-death overtime periods until a winning goal is scored.
HOME TEAM – Giants are the highest remaining seed, therefore have home status and get the last change.
Giants wear their red strip. Just to confuse things, Flames are on the normal home bench and will be using the Cardiff Devils locker room.
At the arena:
•The bar at the Viola Arena will be open from 2pm and showing the Ireland vs. France 6 Nations Game
•There will be a special ‘Shirt off their back’ raffle for both teams tonight – tickets are £1
•The souvenir programme of the Challenge Cup Final will be on sale priced £5
•After the match, fans are invited to the bar for postgame celebrations for the winning team.
Cardiff Devils’ next home fixture in Elite League is next Sunday when Glasgow Clan are visitors to the Viola.
Devils tickets: CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or CALL 0800 0842 666 to book
Devils: Remaining 7 Elite League fixtures
Three home, four away
March
Saturday 16 v Sheffield Steelers (away, 7pm)
Sunday 17 v Glasgow Clan (home, 6pm)
Wednesday 20 v Glasgow Clan (away, 7.30pm)
Saturday 23 v Manchester Storm (home, 7pm)
Sunday 24 v Dundee Stars (away, 5pm)
Saturday 30 v MK Lightning (home, 7pm)
Sunday 31 v Coventry Blaze (away, 5.15pm)
Belfast Giants
7 fixtures left, six home, three away
March
Friday 15 v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm)
Saturday 16 v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm)
Friday 22 v Manchester Storm (away, 7pm)
Sunday 24 v Sheffield Steelers (home, 4pm)
Wednesday 27 v Coventry Blaze (away, 7.30pm)
Friday 29 v Fife Flyers (home, 7pm)
Saturday 30 v Dundee Stars (home, 7pm)
