Lakers Captain Played Alongside Devils Coach Andrew Lord

Växjö Lakers captain Liam Reddox says he’s not surprised Cardiff Devils coach Andrew Lord has been a coaching success.

The two men played together for Oklahoma City Barons in the American League during 2010-11 when Reddox was part of the Edmonton Oilers organisation.

Lord’s men play Swedish champions Lakers home and away in Champions League group fixtures over the next week and the first match is at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay this evening(Tuesday, 7pm).

“I got to play with ‘Lordo’ in Oklahoma City in 2011 while I was up and down in the Edmonton Oilers,” said Reddox. “I can’t recollect how long I played with him for.

“But he left a lasting impression. ‘Lordo’ was one of the newer guys on the team, but showed a lot of leadership and you knew he would go to battle for you.

“He worked extremely hard and I’m not surprised to see him coaching Cardiff Devils and having the success he’s had in winning the league.”

Lakers are top of the Champions League group and have already qualified for the last 16 knockout stages, while Devils go into the clash having beaten Swiss club HC Davos in their last European game.

Reddox, 31, won’t be icing for the Swedish side in Tuesday’s Champions Hockey League meeting due to injury, but is confident he will return for the second game in Sweden next Wednesday.

He led his side to the CHL semi-finals last season.

Reddox is disappointed to be missing the journey to Wales, but can’t wait to be involved in the return game at the Vida Arena next week.

And he hopes the travelling Devils fan will create as much noise as the Braehead supporters did when they visited Växjö two years ago.

“I hope a good number of Cardiff fans coming to Sweden,” said Reddox. “The clips I saw of their supporters in Davos, they look like a fun group with a lot of passion, much like Braehead Clan fans when they came to Växjö a couple of years ago.

“After seeing Cardiff’s first result against Davos, you get an idea of them, but the way they bounced back and beat them at home, shows they have a lot of character and fight.

“Devils have a lot of pride, too, and we expect a difficult match from them, but one that will be a lot of fun to play in.”

Devils entertain Lakers at Ice Arena Wales tonight (Tuesday, October 3, 7pm) before going to Sweden for the return on Wednesday, October 11 (7pm).

Between those fixtures Cardiff entertain title rivals Belfast Giants in a massive Elite League clash  at Ice Arena Wales (7pm).

Ticket information for the matches against Vaxjo and Belfast is available in person at Ice Arena Wales reception, by calling 0800 0842 666 or via the Devils official website.

While Devils entertain Lakers, Elite League rivals Nottingham Panthers play Finnish team TPS Turku at home.

Panthers are top of their group and former Nottingham netminder Miika Wiikman says he’s surprised his old team have done so well in the CHL.

Corey Neilson’s side need one win over TPS to book their place in the knockout stages after winning three out of four so far.

And Wiikman, now at Milton Keynes Lightning, has warned the Panthers must stick to basics to give themselves a chance of recording what would be another historic victory.

“Nottingham’s progress is a big surprise,” he said. “They’ve done a great job so far and have two tough games against TPS coming up. It’s certainly been a pleasant surprise to everyone across Europe at how well they’ve done.

“It’s also really good for Elite League and the status has gone up because of the wins they’ve had. To be one regulation time win away from the next round was unthinkable at the start.

“It’s important they keep it simple, play good defence and don’t take too many risks.  I’m sure they’ll get their chances that way.

“They can frustrate the other team by playing good defence and those chances will open up for sure.”

Wiikman was born in Sweden and has vast experience in Finland, saying: “TPS try to play fast hockey and, like almost every team in Finnish hockey, they play good defence too.

“I don’t know if they’re happy to win at least one game out of the two, but it will be fast hockey and Panthers will have to be careful.”