Ice Hockey: Frontmen pile up points for confident Devils

Nov 17 2007 South Wales Echo

CARDIFF Devils’ first-line trio of Jason Silverthorn, Max Birbraer and Sylvain Deschatalets are neck and neck in the chase for Elite League ice hockey success.

All three are on 27 points for the season – 81 between them for a Devils team now handily placed in third place just behind Newcastle Vipers and Coventry Blaze.

Centre Deschatalets scored an empty net, length-of-the-ice goal to secure his 27th point of the season with seven seconds left against Belfast Giants during the 4-2 win in Northern Ireland this week.

Cardiff play twice this weekend, against Manchester Phoenix at home tonight (7pm) and Edinburgh Capitols away tomorrow as they aim to build on their eight-match winning streak.

The Devils then play Edinburgh at home next Wednesday before taking on the big two, Coventry and Newcastle, over the last weekend in November – away to Coventry next Saturday and then home to Newcastle the following evening.

“There are some huge matches coming up and with attendances rising steadily we are in good shape,” said bench coach and Devils’ manager Brent Pope.

“The guys are playing exceptionally well as a team and, when it’s needed, they are showing true grit to shut down the opposition.”

Five of Cardiff’s eight wins in a row have been on the road and now they come home to play a Manchester team who are making their first trip to the Cardiff Bay rink this season.

Manchester have two players at the top of the league scoring lists, Joe Tallari on 37 (22+15) and player-coach Tony Hand on 35 (11+24).

Cardiff will find out this weekend the extent of an injury to winger Mike Prpich, who damaged a knee during the win in Belfast.

Prpich was hurt during the first period, tried to skate again while his team-mates were in the locker room, but fell to the ice.

It looks certain Prpich will be out for at least six weeks, but the Devils are waiting until they know the full extent of any damage before deciding what to do.

“Mike is going for an MRI scan and we will have a chat when we know the full results,” said Pope.

“It’s a great shame because Mike was just settling down.

“Hopefully, it may prove less serious than was at first felt and he won’t be out too long.

“He is a player we would look to bring back next season and, of course, we will think about Mike’s future as well when we know more.”

Ticket information for all Devils’ matches is available from the box office on 029 2038 2001 or at the door before tonight’s home game against Manchester.

terry.phillips@mediawales.co.uk