The greatest victory in Cardiff Devils history?
That’s not for me to decide but for Cardiff fans to debate long into the night.
For those lucky enough to be inside Viola Ice Arena or even watching on television, this is a game that will live long in the memory of Devils fans.
Cardiff’s start to their 2021-22 campaign has been fraught with difficulties, to say the least.
There were no pre-season games to attain match sharpness and team chemistry. Cardiff had to withdraw from an invitational tournament in Slovakia with players arriving late due to problems attaining visas for overseas players.
Their new head coach, Jarrod Skalde, was hired back in October 2020 and has had to wait until now to take the helm. Covid protocols have meant he has had to watch the two opening CHL games at home instead of behind the bench.
With many familiar faces having moved on since Cardiff last played, including legendary goaltender Ben Bowns, this is a new incarnation of the Devils looking to forge their own path.
Not only were unfamiliar faces hitting the ice, including the loan addition of Zach Sullivan from Manchester, but Cardiff was forced to dress a shortened bench with ten forwards and five forwards.
Playing their second game in three days on home ice after suffering a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Adler Mannheim, just how would Cardiff respond?
Emphatically, was the answer.
Not allowing an early goal against was key.
Cardiff drew in confidence from that start, drawing the first penalty of the game.
It took less than sixty seconds for the hosts to make hay on the power play.
Cole Sanford made no mistake with a backdoor finish following a lovely move instigated by Justin Crandall and Brodie Reid.
Taking the lead just five minutes in inspired the Devils and gave the vocal home support something to rally around.
Cardiff only grew in stature from that moment and took the slender advantage into the first intermission.
Another early goal in the middle frame put the Devils up 2-0.
Brodie Reid went from provider to scorer with his shot from the top of the right circle finding a way through traffic to hit the twine.
Lausanne responded just 22 seconds later with no one in a red uniform picking up Ken Jäger as the trailer on the play as he snuck down the middle of the zone.
Cardiff showed resilience not to implode after what might have felt like a hammer blow and once again kept a slender lead heading into the intermission.
If there were any doubts about fitness playing with a shortened bench, they were quickly dispelled.
A third straight early goal to begin the period put an extra step into the Devils’ legs.
Sanford doubled up with his second goal on a lovely feed from Trevor Cox with just thirty-five seconds on the clock.
It was somewhat fitting that after a contentious few weeks in UK hockey surrounding the import level and future for the Brits, that it was a couple of Team GB teammates that sealed the victory.
A shot from Captain Mark Richardson produced a rebound that Assistant Captain Sam Duggan slammed home to give Cardiff a 4-1 lead.
Mac Carruth turned aside 32 of 33 shots and might make the transition away from Bowns a little easier for fans.
Cardiff did a great job of not allowing him to face a number of high danger scoring chances and Carruth’s rebound control was solid.
A remarkable win in the circumstances and given the quality of opposition but now there might or even should, be expectations to better previous results.
No team in Group C has a 100% record through two games and Cardiff went close to qualifying in the 2019-20 campaign, ending with a .500 record that year.
Whether they can or will qualify is a debate for down the line but for now, everyone involved with the Cardiff organisation should revel in one of the greatest nights of the team’s history.
UK Hockey Blog 