GAME THREAD: Cardiff Devils v Sheffield Steelers, Wednesday 20th March 7:30pm

[smbmetal]

A well deserved win for Cardiff. I’m afraid we were out coached and out played tonight for the second time in Cardiff’s arena. Whilst I expected to lose today, I didn’t expect a 4-0 loss.

If any team wants a blueprint for how to play against the Steelers this is the game to watch. Physical and in Greenfield’s face.

I have absolutely no concerns about not winning the league as we’ll easily beat bottom of the league Nottingham on Saturday, setting up a chance to win the league in a no doubt sold out barn on Sunday. Better get some extra seats installed Tony

We looked absolutely gassed at the end of this game and I don’t think we’ve been playing that well for the past half a dozen games or so. I hope that’s not a worrying sign for the playoffs. I still believe we could have rotated the squad better. We clearly don’t trust the fringe players.

Really want to avoid Cardiff in the playoffs if we can.

Get some rest lads. Back at it at the weekend. Let’s bring the league title home.

[Clowne57]

I'd much rather win it on home ice, so I'm not bothered about losing tonight, but I am a little concerned by the manner of the loss.

I'm losing track now. Does it have to be a regulation win in Nottingham to set up a title winning game on Sunday?

Regards

Doom

According to the commentators tonight we now need 2 regulation wins which if we can beat Nottingham will put us on home ice for the next potential league cup win.

[greeny]

If we win on saturday against nottingham then the home game on sunday against guildford is no given. They will want pay back for cup final and will do all to stop us from winning. Very tough game against a good team that matches up well against us

[paul johnston]

A very puzzling flat, slow, out muscled, out battled, out coached performance. We looked like we expected just to turn up and they would let us win the game. Our performances overall over the last few weeks have been mediocre to say the least one or two games expected. Could do with freshening up the team personnel wise and make line changes.

[Doom]

I suppose there is also the other part of the equation to take into account on Sunday.....the game down in Cardiff.

We might not need 2 regulation wins if Cardiff don't beat Nottingham in regulation.

The Steelers team which beat Belfast the other Sunday need to turn up this weekend. In that game we came out fast, hard and determined to win.

Regards

Doom

[Doom]

I'd much rather win it on home ice, so I'm not bothered about losing tonight, but I am a little concerned by the manner of the loss.

I'm losing track now. Does it have to be a regulation win in Nottingham to set up a title winning game on Sunday?

Regards

Doom

According to the commentators tonight we now need 2 regulation wins which if we can beat Nottingham will put us on home ice for the next potential league cup win.

I've just had a look at the league table and believe 2 wins of any sort would be enough.

We currently have 35 regulation wins, the most Cardiff can get is 35.

We currently have 1 less ot win than Cardiff, so if we were to win both games in OT we would overtake them on that criteria.

Put simply, to set up a Championship winning game where it's in our own hands on Sunday, we need to beat Nottingham on Saturday.

Regards

Doom

[Sully]

I didn’t feel we would get anything last night. Cardiff aren’t going to roll over and let us tickle their bellies.

It’s been a tough 10 days for the team so I’m happy to cut them some slack.

[smbmetal]

I didn’t feel we would get anything last night. Cardiff aren’t going to roll over and let us tickle their bellies.

It’s been a tough 10 days for the team so I’m happy to cut them some slack.

I'd agree with that other than to say (as have others) that there is a worrying trend that we've not been playing that well in the last 6 or so games, other than the odd exception. Cardiff were very good, but we made them look good.

I'll be honest, I'm worried for our playoff chances, unless we can get some bodies rested, we have the squad depth to do it and haven't really used that depth very well over the last month or so IMO.

I also liked Fox's post game comments, very honest.

I'm quite happy with a 10 point lead though.

https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/3 ... hutout-win

[jas]

The loss in Cardiff didn't surprise me in the least. It was always going to be tough although I did not expect a 4-0 shutout. I may be clutching at straws but I would like to think they were conserving energy with the intention of taking the title on home ice. Maybe it is wishful thinking but let's see what the weekend brings. I'm hoping for a resurgence

[SteelerBlade]

Cardiff are one of the very best at this level and are in better form than us over the last 10 games. Add that to the fact they won’t want us to have won it on home ice then this is not a surprising result. They’re my bet for playoffs.