Ice Hockey: Future secured, Devils go into play-offs with confidence high

Mar 24 2008 South Wales Echo

CARDIFF Devils ended their Elite League ice hockey campaign on a high.

And now they are looking to take that growing confidence into the play-off clashes with Nottingham Panthers next weekend.

Cardiff headed to the North East of England for their final League match of the weekend and beat Newcastle Vipers on their own ice.

That victory followed news that the future of Devils’ ice hockey has been assured by new owner Matt Burge, who runs the Communications Direct company.

They have been Cardiff City Football Club’s main shirt sponsors for the last couple of seasons and Burge has now bought the Devils and has pledged to bring financial stability.

Current owner Maraini Phillips stays in charge until after the play-offs.

Import forward Jason Silverthorn returned to the ice during last night’s challenge match at home to Sheffield Steelers and is confident he will be available for the play-offs. Cardiff travel to Nottingham on Saturday with the second leg at their Cardiff Bay home on Sunday (6pm).

Paul Sample has admitted defeat in his quest to play in the play-offs after a knee injury, but Slovakian forward Mat Petricko remains hopeful he will be able to contribute.

Two goals apiece from Max Birbraer and one each for Brad Voth and Mike Garrow earned Cardiff Devils a hard-earned victory at the Metro Arena.

Statistics

Scorers

Newcastle Vipers: @Shields 1+1, Jeff Hutchins 1+0, Jackson 1+0, Campbell 0+1, Wilson 1+0.

Cardiff Devils: @Birbraer 2+0, Voth 1+0, Garrow 1+2, Hill 0+1, Towe 0+1, Deschatelets 0+2.

Period scores (Vipers first):@ 1-2; 2-2 (3-4); 0-0 (3-4).

Shots on goal:@ Vipers 9+13+5=27, Devils 10+14+10=34.

CARDIFF Devils have their presentation evening at the Copthorne Hotel in Cardiff this evening.