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Elite League Notebook: Cardiff Devils claim Continental Cup, Belfast Giants surge in title race

Cardiff Devils, Continental Cup (Image: James Assinder)

Naysayers will (and have in the droves on social media) point to the pre-tournament withdrawal of HC Arlan and the visa issues that prevented GKS Katowice from icing their strongest roster as reasons to downplay Cardiff’s Continental Cup triumph.

But the Devils can only play (and beat) the teams placed in front of them and they produced dominant displays versus Katowice and Grenoble (both domestic powerhouses) to claim their first European crown.

Brûleurs de Loups couldn’t keep pace with Pete Russell’s squad in Sunday’s de-facto final, visiting the penalty box time and time again as the Devils proved too slippery to contain on home ice.

Brett Perlini potted a hattrick in Cardiff’s title-clinching 6-1 win over Grenoble; the last of which scored into an empty in the final seconds to send an already jubilant Vindico Arena crowd into raptures.

Franz Reindl, the IIHF’s primary representative and administrator at the Continental Cup, made the capacity crowd roar once more after the final-buzzer.

“Cardiff is a wonderful hockey town,” the IIHF board member said, “and we’re grateful to be here.”

Franz Reindl, IIHF, Continental Cup (Image: James Assinder)

Franz Reindl, IIHF Continental Cup (Image: James Assinder)

The Devils’ delivery of the Continental Cup Final was impressive from start to finish, with Sunday’s sellout crowd stealing the show and raising the roof.

Cardiff and Grenoble played out the decider under an electric atmosphere, one fuelled by years of impressive off-ice work by Devils leadership.

Cardiff has the feel of a ‘hockey town’ because the Vindico Arena game-night experience seamlessly flows – the fans are locked in on weekly features, making for an impressive atmosphere and a ticket capable of selling itself.

There has been plenty of talk about (strong) attendances and (a relative lack of) media attention lately – the Devils are doing it right on and off the ice.

Belfast Giants steal thunder in Elite League title race 

When the Belfast Giants put the Sheffield Steelers to the sword on Saturday (and followed it up with a narrow win over the Manchester Storm a day later), Adam Keefe’s men firmly restated their case as title contenders.

The Giants out-chanced Sheffield heavily on home ice, taking a flurry of high-danger shots from inside the crease while limiting their rivals to the outside at the other end.

With David Goodwin back in Belfast, the title race just became a little bit spicier.

Fife Flyers win (finally)

Shoutout to the Fife Flyers, who overcame Manchester to end their 13-game losing run on Saturday. The Flyers, who are 3-25-2 on the season, have been completely cut off from the playoff picture for months – but there is light at the end of the tunnel after two positive performances last weekend.

Olivier Leblanc, Fife Flyers (Image: Manchester Storm)

Olivier Leblanc, Fife Flyers (Image: Manchester Storm)

Johnny Curran deserves credit for his efforts from behind the bench, with the 29-year-old stepping into an interim head coach role (while sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury) and lifting team morale.

“I’m sure people were starting to believe we were just there to cause a distraction,” said Curran. The guys have set a standard now. Todd [Dutiaume] and I know that, and now we have to hold them to it.”

Related: ‘The guys have set a standard’ – Curran delighted as Fife Flyers end 13-game losing run

Brendan Perlini to the Elite League?

After his short-lived stint in the Kontinental Hockey League with Spartak Moscow, Brendan Perlini is back on the market.

That said, the Guildford-born forward is unlikely to join his brother or cousin (Scott Conway) in the Elite League.

As Perlini represented Team Canada at the Under-20 and Under-18 World Junior Championships, he is four seasons of Elite League play away from gaining Team GB eligibility under IIHF rules.

Just two seasons removed from a 23-appearance spell with the Edmonton Oilers, mainland Europe is the likeliest destination for Perlini.

British Ice Hockey’s Elite League Team of the Week

Netminder – Janis Voris (Fife Flyers)

Janis Voris has fan favourite potential.

The Latvian shot-stopper was superb last weekend and backstopped Fife to victory over the Storm with a 42-save performance.

Voris was similarly impressive in the Flyers’ defeat to Nottingham, stopping 50 saves on 53 shots before heading to the bench for an extra attacker in the final minutes. Superb.

Defencemen – Noah Delmas (Fife Flyers), Cooper Zech (Nottingham Panthers)

Forwards – Chase Gresock (Coventry Blaze), Mark Cooper (Belfast Giants), Matt Alvaro (Guildford Flames)

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