Saturday was Coventry, Sunday becomes the biggest game of the season so far. Are you ready, it's CHALLENGE CUP FINAL DAY!
After another arduous campaign, we've made the Final in Ice Arena Wales. It's a repeat of the 2015 Final; which we hosted remember; and against the opposition are:
The Elite League champions-elect as I tend to feel, lie in wait for us. They are as you know; pretty consistent in their performances and on home ice: tend to win more than they actually lose. But Cup Finals, even in any sport, are one off showdowns where actually anything could happen. Hockey is no difference whatsoever.
Gerad Adams, former Devils and Steelers coach, says it right: "Lesser players could step up in the Final". Players like your David Brine, who has done absolutely nothing all season points wise, could simply explode and take control from a Devils perspective. Likewise you could have the unsung Swede known as Yared Hagos from our side. All it takes though is a team mentality that they can go out there and win.
Atmosphere will be incredible, and we know how loud and noisy them Devils fans can be. It's as if they do act like that player on the ice, and I am sure the players feel that way. Depending on our physical encounter the night before, we know that Sunday is going to feel like climbing Everest. Everyone expects Devils to win, so do I sadly, but sometimes teams literally freeze on occasions and a shock happens. Just look the FA Cup and the exploits of non-league Lincoln City if you want to think it through.
The team is capable of ending the Challenge Cup drought, 2003 was the last time we won it and that was in the Super League era. History should fate us to win then right? If we play Cardiff like Cardiff play us, and make them feel pressurised then it could be a very happy trip back from South Wales. Play like we have played against Cardiff most of the season, then loss and despair beckons and that's the worst feeling in the world.
Prediction? As much as I would love us to win it, my heart is with the Devils to capture the first of their Grand Slam (yes Nottingham they're on course for it properly) trophies. It pains me to type this but Devils will win this by probably a score of 4-1. Prove me wrong boys!
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