Ice Hockey: Giants coach is Ed hunting Cardiff Devils

Jan 11 2008 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo

ED Courtenay brings his Belfast Giants team to South Wales this Sunday looking to demoralise Cardiff Devils.

Giants’ player-coach Courtenay led his team in back-to-back wins against Cardiff two weeks ago – and that has opened up the chase for league honours.

Sheffield Steelers lie second on 42 points, behind leaders Coventry Blaze, with Nottingham, Belfast and Cardiff all level on 41.

“We are as good as Cardiff, Sheffield, Nottingham and Newcastle – and we’ve beaten Coventry too,” said Courtenay.

The Devils welcome back Welsh forward Phil Hill from injury this weekend, while they have Sheffield Steelers’ back-up Dave Lawrence in goal again.

Barnsley-born Lawrence did well for Cardiff in their 5-3 win against Basingstoke Bison last weekend.

The Devils travel to play Nottingham Panthers tomorrow before tackling Belfast at the Cardiff Bay rink on Sunday (6pm).

Belfast also have a British netminder, Cardiff-born former Devils’ goalie Stevie Lyle.

New Cardiff sponsors PT Maintenance have eased financial problems at the club, although general manager and defenceman Brent Pope admits: “There is still work to be done.”

The Devils are now certain to complete the Elite League season with no problems and are on the lookout for an import player to replace injured Mike Prpich.

It is hoped Prpich will be back in Cardiff next season, but he will not be ready for the rest of this campaign.

The deadline for signings is January 31 and Cardiff are making sure they know who is available both in North America and Europe.

“We’d love to have that extra body in to help out,” said player-coach Gerad Adams.

First choice netminder Phil Osaer has been back on the ice this week and put his goalie pads on for the first time yesterday.