Jane Louis Flies In On A Five Star Cardiff Devils Visit To Watch Son Mark

Jane Louis flies home to Canada today – and Cardiff Devils are heartbroken to see her go.

When the real estate agent from Ponoka, Aberta flew in to visit her son, Devils’ defenceman Mark Louis, there was an air of despondency among ice hockey fans in South Wales.

Cardiff had just lost at home against Belfast Giants in the first leg of their Challenge Cup semi-final and it seemed they may miss out on qualifying for the final at Ice Arena Wales.

Jane’s visit, though, coincided with an upsurge in fortunes and Devils won five successive matches during her visit, including an amazing 5-1 victory in Belfast.

“I went to all five matches and loved watching Cardiff,” said Jane after their 3-0 Elite League win against Nottingham Panthers on Sunday.

“It’s been an amazing trip and everybody has made me so welcome to Wales. That win in Belfast was a major high, but the team played well in all the matches.

“I watch the live stream of Devils matches whenever possible and I’d love to come back again, but this is a busy time of year for real estate agents and that won’t be easy. I’ll be supporting Mark all the way, of course.

“I would love to see Devils achieve the success they want this season. It’s such a great city and fantastic club.”

Louis, 29, is a 6ft 4ins defenceman who is playing a leading role for League leaders Devils, who will play Sheffield Steelers or Nottingham Panthers in the cup final at the IAW, Cardiff Bay on Sunday, March 5 (4pm).

They won against Panthers twice (4-3 away, 3-0 home), Manchester Storm (5-3 home), Belfast (5-1 away) and Coventry (6-3 away) during Jane’s trip to the UK.

While Mark’s mother is on her way home to Canada, Mark is focused on two massive league matches this weekend.

Devils stand top of the League and they play back-to-back league matches against second-placed Belfast in Northern Ireland on Friday and Saturday (both 7pm).

They are crucial matches in the title chase and the two top teams still have to play each other twice in Cardiff over the last weekend of the regular league season in March.

Hundreds of Devils fans will be following their team to Belfast for the big games at the SSE Arena.

Devils office staff are working flat out to bring in new Devils new American winger Denny Kearney in time to play against Giants.

He has signed a contract and is committed to Cardiff, but has to wait until a visa is granted before flying in.

The new signing is crucial to Devils, particularly with captain Jake Morissette ruled out after an ankle operation. Kearney’s arrival will give Devils extra depth to their team.

They play three away matches in five days – Giants twice and then the following Tuesday – before Coventry Blaze come to Cardiff Bay on Saturday, February 25 (7pm).

Ticket information for that match against Blaze is available from the Devils official website or via the hotline on 0800 0842 666.

Elite League

Top five only

All teams play 52 fixtures

Pl Pts

1 Cardiff Devils 40 63

2 Belfast Giants 41 60

3 Sheffield Steelers 40 55

4 Braehead Clan 42 45

5 Nottingham Panthers 38 44