Devils fans ‘excited and nervous’ ahead of Challenge Cup final
CARDIFF Devils are looking to heal an old wound against Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup final tomorrow night.
Devils last won the Challenge Cup in 2017 but they made it to the final again the following year – only for Giants to defeat them 6-3.
Since then, Giants have gone on to win the tournament once more while Cardiff have had to bear another cup final defeat.
Now, after a season where both teams have shown their skill on the ice, Devils fans are hoping the team can reverse the 2018 result and take the Challenge Cup home to Cardiff.
Elliot Bate, 20, a Devils fan who has travelled to Belfast for the final said: “I’m buzzing for the game and have been ever since the semi-final win against Sheffield. It’s a competition that we seem to do very well in (well, at least get to the final) ever since the new owners came in.
“It’ll be a very tough game considering how unlucky we’ve been with injuries throughout the season as well as the Giants having the home advantage. It’s a one off game which means the form of both teams goes out the window and it comes down to who wants it more on the night.”
Devils fan Rhys also travelled to Belfast with other fans to watch the game. He said: “The atmosphere is very excited and nervous for the cup final.”
Image: James Assinder/Cardiff Devils
The two teams are evenly matched. Both have three Challenge Cup titles to their name and both have had an impressive season in the Elite League. Though Giants sit at the top of the league, two places above Devils, the Cardiff side have been the victors in four of their six league matches against the Belfast team this season.
Elliot added: “100% Devils have what it takes to win. Having taken seven points off the Giants this season, it shows that we have the players within the team to perform and hopefully get the job done!”
Rhys agreed, saying: “I think the Devils have what it takes to win in Belfast as [Head Coach Jarrod] Skalde recruited players who have experience in big games and winning them, such as [Matt] Register.”
Skalde joined the Devils as head coach in late 2020 and has brought a host of new talent into the team but fans were unanimous on who they were most looking forward to seeing on the ice.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Carruth in a cup final as I believe the cup will be won by which keeper plays best,” said Rhys.
Elliot added: “Just got to hope Mac Carruth has a blinder!”
In Saturday’s game, Carruth extinguished Coventry Blaze’s chances by shutting out all 32 of their shots, allowing Devils to walk away with a 3-0 win. The Utahn joined Devils last year and quickly became a fan favourite.
Rhys said: “If the Devils won the cup (it) would be huge, as with such a big roster turnover it will be the first title of the Skalde era.”
The Challenge Cup final will be played at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Wednesday night with the puck dropping at 7pm. Fans staying in Wales can watch the game on Premier Sports.
