Paul Thompson isn’t excited. At least, not yet.
Speaking after the Cardiff Devils ended the Glasgow Clan’s playoff hopes and punched their ticket to the final, the Elite League’s winningest coach was all business.
“I’m feeling good, but your mind obviously switches straight to the next opponent,” Thompson told rinkside reporters.
“We’ll watch the second semi-final, take a look at what they do, and prepare as we always do for a big game.”
After the Sheffield Steelers’ 6-0 demolition of the Manchester Storm, Thompson and the Devils have plenty to look at.
Aaron Fox’s side produced a masterclass in game management: perfect on the powerplay, perfect on the penalty kill, and dominant at five-on-five.
Perhaps the clearest indication of Sheffield’s dominance was the Elite League’s choice for Manchester’s player of the game.
Despite fishing the puck from his net six times, Storm netminder Drew DeRidder was the best player on the ice, such was the Steelers’ control over proceedings.
“I think we were just ready from puck drop,” explained Sheffield brace scorer Mitchell Heard.
“We’re well-prepared: we have the right guys and great leadership. There’s nothing but positives from today.”
On Sunday [19 April], the Motorpoint Arena will once again set the stage for the Elite League playoff final.
With silverware and a place in the IIHF Continental Cup on the line, will it be the Steelers or Devils who prevail?
Cardiff Devils seek to avenge last season’s playoff final heartbreak:
Josh MacDonald, Cardiff Devils (Image: Elite League)
The Devils fell at the final hurdle last year.
Beaten by the Nottingham Panthers in one of the most controversial games in Elite League history, the Welsh side return to the final with a point to prove and energy to burn.
“It’s a crazy atmosphere, a lot louder than I was expecting and a lot of fun to play in,” Brandon Estes told British Ice Hockey.
“We’ll just look to get some fluids and rest and get back to the hotel so that we’re ready to go tomorrow.”
The puck-moving defenceman has a key role to play.
Named to the Elite League’s First All-Star Team, Estes scored the game winner against Glasgow and will be matched against Sheffield’s top units in the final.
If the Devils prevail, they will overtake the Coventry Blaze for fourth overall in the all-time trophy rankings.
Injuries a key fact as Sheffield Steelers prepare for Elite League playoff final:
Mitchell Heard, Sheffield Steelers (Image: Elite League)
The Steelers have been rocked by injuries and unavailability in recent weeks.
Brett Ritchie returned to North America after the playoff quarter-finals, attending to personal matters.
And now there are question marks over the fitness of Samuel Tremblay.
The Canadian left yesterday’s semi-final early, helped off the ice by medical staff after taking a knee from Bradley Jenion.
As a result, Fox enters the final with his thinnest squad of the season.
Already lacking depth, especially at the centre position, Sheffield will need to lean on their youngsters.
Liam Steele, Kyle Watson, and Reece Kelly played a combined five minutes in the semi-final — Fox may be forced to reconsider his approach in the championship game.
Matthew Greenfield, now Sheffield’s franchise leader in shutouts, will need to be at his best against Cardiff.
The Devils’ physical, chippy style will wear down the American’s short-staffed skaters — and the final hinges on his response.
READ MORE:
- Elite League Quotes: Critchlow, Fox, Heard reflect on playoff semi-final
- Manchester Storm hit for six, Sheffield Steelers march on at POFW
- Sheffield Steelers’ Mitchell Heard named Elite League MVP
- Elite League Quotes: Thompson, Sirant, Estes on playoff semi-final
- Cardiff Devils down Glasgow Clan, qualify for playoff final
