Devils’ Benti/Ulms/Azzy Trophy Collecting Society

Patrick Asselin has joined the Bentivoglio/Ulmer trophy collecting society.

The Canadian trio have lifted 21 League titles and cups between them over the last five years – and they want more.

They are key players in a Cardiff Devils team who are reigning Elite League champions, stand top of the table, and have qualified for the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Devils go to Guildford Flames on Saturday before entertaining Nottingham Panthers on Sunday (6pm).

Sean Bentivoglio and Layne Ulmer spent five seasons playing for Asiago before coming to Wales.

Asiago were crowned Italian champions twice and lifted the Super Cup in 2014 and 2016.

Asselin shone for SønderjyskE and helped the Danish team win three titles and two cups during his stay.

The three forwards played key roles in Cardiff Devils’ triple crown last season, winning the Elite League title, Challenge Cup and Erhardt Conference.

Now they have joined forces for Devils, who are preparing for three matches in five days starting at Guildford on Saturday, following by Panthers and Flames (both home).

“It’s been great playing alongside Layne and Patrick,” says Bentivoglio. “Azzy was the only forward in our team I had not played with until the last few weeks.

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“All three of us are similar players who think about ice hockey in the same way. We are able to adjust and read off each other in different situations.”

Benti/Ulms and Azzy have scored 28 goals and 50 assists between them so far this season and are intent on increasing those tallies and adding to their trophy haul.

But you won’t hear any talk of winning streaks at Ice Arena Wales. Devils may have earned a few wins this season, but coach Andrew Lord and his team are focused on one game at a time and nothing else matters.

Guildford away in the League is the only fixture which matters to Lord’s men and he says: “We still have half the season left and there’s a long way to go.

“We are, though, in a great spot and just have to keep going one game at a time.”

Meanwhile, in-form Bentivoglio is happy to talk about his own game.

The man from Thorold, Ontario has hit a rich vein of form and broke off from a post-training lunch of penne pasta, chicken, pesto and bread, saying: “There are stretches in everybody’s career where a player feels good.

“I feel I am in one of those stretches. We all aim to play to our best every night, but we go through stretches where your body feels good, the hands feel good, your legs are good.

“That’s where I feel I am right now.”

Devils have been without injured players Paul Crowder, Josh Batch and Craig Moore because of injuries, while coach Lord is currently bench coaching.

“Lordo is keeping in sharp and he’ll be ready to step right back in and play when he feels that’s the right move,” says Bentivoglio.

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Joey Haddad will play against Guildford after the League department of player safety decided no further action was needed after he was give a five minutes plus game penalty for spearing against MK Lightning.

Devils have released ticket info for their Challenge Cup quarter-final second leg match against Guildford at Ice Arena Wales on Wednesday, January 10 (7.30pm).

Seats for this game are included in season ticket packages. There is no need to do anything except show up with your season ticket.

Tickets can be purchased ONLINE HERE or be telephone on 0800 0842 666.

Anybody interested in taking a suite for up to 16 people for the midweek game can contact Kris Agland via email on [email protected] or call 0800 0842 666.

Cardiff Devils top five points scorers: 1 Andrew Hotham 12 goals + 23 assists = 35 points; 2 Joey Martin 11+24=35; 3 Sean Bentivoglio 8+23=31; 4 Layne Ulmer 11+15=26; 5 Jake Morissette 11+15=26.