by Robert Jones
CARDIFF Devils host fifth placed Belfast Giants in a crucial double header at the Viola Arena.
The in-form Devils moved to within three points of league leaders Glasgow Clan with two games in hand after last weekend’s 4-1 away win at Manchester Storm and a 3-0 home victory over the Fife Flyers.
The 2018 champions were once again aided by week 12 player of the week Joey Haddad who contributed two goals and one assist during the two games, and Haddad spoke about the win over Fife and the Devils season so far.
“This time against Fife we kept going, Ben Bowns is really coming into top form and I feel like as a six-man unit we’re getting a lot more consistent defensively,” said Haddad.
“We showed what we can do and have set the bar for ourselves now.
“I think the biggest difference so far this season has been the competitiveness of all 10 teams. We don’t have the traditional top two or three and then a gap below that, everyone has depth, is well-coached and is working hard to get better.”
For the visiting Giants, it’s been a difficult stretch with four straight defeats since their last win which came against Coventry Blaze.
Compared to their early season prowess, the Giants have struggled for goals during the four game losing streak managing six over that time frame.
It doesn’t get any easier for Belfast who go up against new Devils defencemen Shaone Morrisonn and standout goaltender Ben Bowns, who produced 19 saves in the shutout win over Fife.
Perhaps the biggest strength going into the game for the Devils is their numerous goal threats with Haddad, Sean McMonagle, Joey Martin and Stephen Dixon all having produced big moments for the Welsh side this season.
The Giants head into the encounter without Jean Dupuy and Jesse Forsberg after releasing the pair this week.
Forward Dupuy arrived to the Giants last season from the Orlando Solar Bears and contributed four goals and three assists during his time in the EIHL.
The Devils won the last meeting between the two with a 2-1 away win in April and have taken three out of the last five.
Puck drop is a 19:00 start at the Viola Arena.
