Ice Hockey: Jason provides Devils with Silver lining

Feb 29 2008 South Wales Echo

CANADIAN ice hockey forward Jason Silverthorn will be ready to give Cardiff Devils an Elite League play-offs boost.

Silverthorn, who has fired 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 50 matches this season, is on the mend from a shoulder injury sustained three weeks ago.

“Jason is to have a scan on his shoulder next week and he’s feeling good,” said player-coach Gerad Adams.

“He is keen to be back playing and excited to be so close, but we have to hold him back a little and make sure he listens to medical advice. It’s good to see his enthusiasm to get back playing and he will be in the team for the play-offs.

“The shoulder injury is healing well and Jason is working hard to ensure he maintains fitness levels as much as possible.”

Silverthorn and British winger Paul Sample are the two Devils players due back from injury soon.

Their return will give Cardiff a full team going into the play-off quarter-finals where they are likely to play Sheffield Steelers or Belfast Giants.

Sample, 25, is on the mend after a serious knee injury and is set for a return to full training on ice next week.

“Paul has been working hard off the ice to stay fit and has now had a brace fitted to help stabilise his knee,” said player-coach Gerad Adams.

“We will re-assess how he is doing after a couple of days skating, but he’s feeling pretty good.”

Sample won’t be available for Devils’ this weekend, when they are at home to Elite League bottom club tomorrow and away to the same opposition.

But he is working towards being able to get involved again over the next couple of weeks.

CARDIFF Dragons, who played Cardiff Devils in a challenge match this week, have set the home dates for their English National League play-offs.

They play Streatham on Saturday, March 8; Peterborough on Saturday, March 22 and Kent’s Invicta on Saturday, March 29. Face-off for all three is 7pm.

The Devils defeated Dragons 7-1 in their challenge match.