‘I’m just so glad to be back in acti

Jan 19 2008 South Wales Echo

IT’S great to be back! I can’t wait to get out on the ice against Coventry Blaze tonight.

I have served my six match ban and now simply want to put it behind me and get on with playing for Cardiff Devils.

It’s been difficult over the last few weeks because I didn’t feel the suspension was justified, but it’s done with now and everybody is looking ahead and preparing for the play-offs.

We are at home to Coventry tonight and at their Skydome rink tomorrow. They are both big tests and it’s a pity we are without Phil Osaer, but he needs another week or so before he can play again.

It wasn’t worth the risk of him coming back too early and causing himself problems again. We all want to see Phil fit, healthy and back to his best.

Joe Myers will step in and he does a terrific job for the team. It can’t be easy being back-up to the best netminder in Elite League, but he gets on with the job and is ready when needed.

We’ll give him all the help he needs tonight and give it everything against Blaze.

Personally, it will be good to be back out there alongside Mat Petricko and Phil Hill. The injuries we have had rocked our season badly, but now we are getting things back together, guys are returning and we can look ahead.

Off the ice, we have a few big events coming up.

One of those is ladies night when all the players will be dressing up in black suits - curtesy of Moss Bros - and serving the guests with food and drinks.

I am also involved in a special auction which will earn five special ladies a date with a Devil!

The ladies night is at the Copthorne Hotel on Tuesday, February 12 and all you female fans are welcome. Just ring the Devils’ office on 0845 434 9055 or e-mail jane@thecardiffdevils.com

Tickets are £37 each, it will be a fantastic night and there are some terrific prizes on offer through the evening.

The date with a Devil is the following evening, Wednesday, February 13, when there are five places available for ladies on an evening out.

I will be on of the players along with Max Birbraer, Matt Towe and a couple of other guys.

All will be revealed during ladies night and those who win the auctions will be treated to a complimentary game of bowling at Hollywood Bowl followed by a meal at Spice Route all at Red Dragon Centre.

That, too, will be a good evening.

Some of the proceeds will be going to the Red Dragon Radio charity ‘Help a South Wales Child’ so we’ll be out to raise as much as possible.

There have been plenty of problems for the club to deal with this season - and now, at last, it seems things are starting to look a little better.

Get down to the rink this evening and cheer the guys on - we’re going all out for the play-offs.