by Jordan A Jones
CARDIFF Devils take on Guilford Flames at the Viola Arena in the second part of a Challenge Cup doubleheader.
The Flames edged past the Devils 2-1 at Guildford Spectrum last night to steer three points clear in their three-team group.
Former Devils forward and Welshman Owen Griffiths haunted his home city club by scoring the winner in the second quarter after Jamie Crooks opened the scoring. Canadian Mike McNamee was on target for the Devils.
Now the Surrey side will be hoping to replicate last night’s result as they travel to the south Wales capital in each side’s penultimate game in the group.
The Devils defeated last year’s losing finalists Guilford 5-3 and 4-3 in September and will be hoping to get their Challenge Cup run back on track. Andrew Lord’s side will need victory against the top-ranked side in the group to ensure a tie against lesser opposition
A victory could see the Devils pull away from bottom side Coventry Blaze, in anticipation to Wednesday’s match against the Midlands outfit at the Viola Arena.
The Flames’ Kruise Reddick may not feature after his ear was hit with a puck during the victory over the Devils.
Paul Dixon, Head Coach of the Flames said to their official website: “We don’t have an update yet, but we were glad to see him get up and off under his own power and that makes us hopeful that it will be relatively short term.”
Devils player-coach Andrew Lord added: “I hope Reddick’s okay. It was a nasty puck to the head, I don’t like seeing that.
“From our organisation to yours, I wish him the best.”
Face-off down Cardiff Bay in the Viola Arena is at 16:00 pm.
🗣Reaction: Paul Dixon & Andrew Lord after @flamesicehockey beat @cardiffdevils | #EIHL #CC20 pic.twitter.com/3u9KxdaWGh
— EIHL (@officialEIHL) October 26, 2019
Image: Lachun1