Lord preparing for ‘competitive’ Blaze

Cardiff Devils coach Andrew Lord says the fixtures aren’t getting any easier as he and his team prepare for the weekend double header with Coventry Blaze.

The champions are three points ahead of nearest challengers Belfast Giants at the top after Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Braehead Clan.

And Lord reckons meetings with the Skydome side are every bit as tasty as clashes with the Giants and Sheffield Steelers.

“It doesn’t get any easier going forward as we prepare for Coventry this weekend,” he said.  “It’s a credit to the league how deep it is now with 12 teams and the quality has improved every year.

“Every night is a challenge and that’s exactly what we’ll get from Blaze.  They play very hard, there have some big defencemen that defend well, they have speed up front and goalscoring.

“We’re going to need to be ready for it and after Wednesday’s game at Braehead, it’s all about getting rested and refuelled.

“The last few years, it’s been more Sheffield and Belfast that fans have said has been the rivalry, but traditionally, us against Coventry a heck of a match-up.

“From the time I’ve been here, it’s always been a good, competitive game and I’m sure it will be no different this weekend.”

Photo: Helen Brabon