by Tom Pritchard
CARDIFF Devils will be out for revenge when they host Fife Flyers at the Viola Arena in their latest Elite League fixture on Sunday.
Andrew Lord’s side slipped to a disappointing 5-1 defeat when they played the Flyers – who are oldest professional ice hockey club in the UK – at the start of the month.
The result, which saw the Flyers move above their Cardiff counterparts, was thanks largely to centerman Paul Crowder, who scored a hat-trick of goals.
The Devils are currently fourth in the Elite League standings, having won eight and lost five of their 13 matches to date, while the Kirkcaldy side are four places lower in eighth – the final play-off qualification spot – with sixth wins, eight defeats and an overtime loss to their name.
The last time the sides met in the Welsh capital, the Devils secured a narrow 3-2 victory, with Matt Pope adding to Charles Linglet’s brace.
Depending on their result against Manchester Storm on Saturday, Lord’s team could finish the weekend as high as second, should results elsewhere go in their favour.
The Flyers, meanwhile, will be keen to maintain the gap between themselves and Dundee Stars, who are breathing down their neck in pursuit of a play-off spot.
It was announced on Wednesday that the Devils had secured the signing of 36-year-old defenceman Shaone Morrisonn.
The veteran Croatian – who played more than 500 times in the National Hockey League for teams including Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres – will add a considerable amount of experience to a Devils side who are looking to win their third consecutive league title.
Speaking to cardiffdevils.com, Lord described Morrisonn’s arrival as “a very exciting signing, not only for our organisation but also for the league.”
Face-off in Cardiff Bay is at 18:00.
