One Down, Seven to Go – Devils Launch Packed October with Manchester Storm Shutout
CARDIFF DEVILS have started their busiest home month of the season in exactly the right way.
A 2–0 victory over Manchester Storm at Vindico Arena on Saturday night gave the Devils their first Motorpoint Elite League win of the campaign and sent them into Sunday’s home meeting with Glasgow Clan on the back of a shutout victory.
Bayley Harewood broke the deadlock just 21 seconds into the second period before captain Joey Martin sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 18.5 seconds remaining.
At the other end, Christian Stoever kept Manchester off the scoresheet, completing the shutout.
And there is barely time to draw breath.
The Devils are back on home ice today when Glasgow Clan visit Vindico Arena for a 5pm face-off, with doors opening at 3.30pm.
It is all part of an unusually packed October.
The Devils have seven more home games on sale during the month, with Glasgow Clan, Dundee Stars, Belfast Giants twice, Coventry Blaze, Sheffield Steelers and Guildford Flames all to come.
Several of those fixtures were already close to selling out when the club issued its latest ticket update, with fewer than 30 tickets remaining for the Glasgow game and fewer than 10 for next Saturday’s meeting with Dundee Stars at that point.
Skate with the Devils after Glasgow game
Today’s fixture also includes one of the club’s most popular off-ice events.
After the final buzzer, the whole game-day squad will remain on the ice for the annual Skate with the Team event.
Supporters can bring their own skates or hire a pair from the box office for £3, with hire available from doors opening onwards.
It offers fans the unusual chance to share the ice with the players immediately after the game.
***
Foodbank donations welcomed
The Devils are also continuing their collection for Cardiff Foodbank throughout Sunday’s game.
The initiative is being run alongside club partners Howells, with supporters invited to bring suitable donations and leave them with staff at reception from doors opening.
It adds another community element to what is already a busy weekend at Vindico Arena.
***
New Devil makes his mark
New signing Jonas Emmerdahl was brought straight into the weekend after training with the club during the week.
He made his Devils debut against Manchester Storm wearing number 42 and will switch to number 4 after this weekend.
The Swedish defenceman gives Cardiff additional depth heading into a month when the fixture list offers very little respite.
***
October at Vindico Arena
The remaining home schedule includes:
October 4 – Glasgow Clan
October 10 – Dundee Stars
October 11 – Belfast Giants
October 17 – Coventry Blaze
October 24 – Sheffield Steelers
October 28 – Belfast Giants
October 31 – Guildford Flames
Friday and Saturday home games normally face off at 7pm, while Sunday fixtures begin at 5pm.
***
A big month for the Devils
For supporters, October offers almost continuous opportunities to watch the Devils at home.
For the team, it could prove an important early-season period.
Eight home fixtures offer the chance to build momentum, develop the new-look squad and make Vindico Arena increasingly difficult territory for visiting teams.
Saturday’s shutout against Manchester Storm was a useful first step.
Now Glasgow Clan arrive less than 24 hours later — and another sell-out crowd is expected.
***
Did Ewe Know?
Cardiff Devils have played home games at three different venues since the club was founded in 1986 — the Wales National Ice Rink, the famous temporary “Big Blue Tent”, and their current Cardiff Bay home, now known as Vindico Arena.