Devils chase Euro glory in reduced tournament final

Cardiff Devils aim to win a first European title when they host the final round of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Continental Cup this week.

The Continental Cup is European hockey's second-level club tournament and Cardiff have reached the medal group for a third consecutive year.

This year's final round has been hit by the withdrawal last week of Kazakhstan's HC Arlan who had not obtained visa entry into the UK.

With no other side able to fill the vacant spot at short notice the final goes ahead with only three teams - Cardiff, Bruleurs de Loups of France and Poland's GKS Katowice - but Devils' captain Mark Richardson does not think that automatically boosts the Welsh side's chances of victory.

"Yes and no, it does increase your chances - win only two games and you win the tournament," said Great Britain international Richardson.

"The other side of it is there's less room for error.

"It really changes the dynamic of the tournament, but it's out of our hands and we've just got to do what we can do."

Kazakhs HC Arlan would have been strong contenders having beaten Devils 6-3 in the final game of their round three tournament in November, topping Group E.

Cardiff progressed as runners-up, having beaten Italian champions Rittner Buam 5-1 in their opening game and then securing qualification with a 4-1 victory over hosts Vlci Zilina.

The tournament, though, turned out to be the start of the Devils having to manage a raft of injuries.

Against Rittner, Great Britain goalie Ben Bowns came off after taking a knock in the build-up to the Italians' only goal. In the second game alternate netminder Mac Carruth was also injured, forcing Bowns to return to action on one leg.

For the final group match against HC Arlan, Cardiff drafted in Ukranian Maxym Duve and on their return from Slovakia signed former Guildford Flames keeper Taz Burman.

The following weeks saw the roster put under further strain leaving head coach Pete Russell with frequently depleted line-ups.

Riley Brandt has had surgery this week and the Devils are still without forwards Hunter Shinkaruk and Ben Davies, prompting the club to sign 27-year-old Canadian Brad Schoonbaert for the remainder of the season.

Since returning from Zilina the Devils have had 13 wins and seven losses.

In previous seasons that would have hardly been title winning form, but they go into the Continental Cup top of the Elite League and in the semi-finals of the domestic Challenge Cup.

Richardson - who has played over 1000 EIHL games for the Devils – considers the fact Cardiff are still in contention for all competitions is an achievement in itself.

"To have got ourselves into this position with the number of injuries and players out of the line-up, I think we've done an outstanding job," said the 38-year-old defenceman.

"I'm so proud of every member of that team for sticking together, there have been some games when we've been down to the bare bones.

"Yes, maybe we've lost some games that we really should have won, but the guys are able to put that to the back of their mind and go into the next game and be four nothing down in a must win Challenge Cup game and turn it around.

"Having a team that can do that shows what you've got."

Cardiff Devils secured their place in the final with victory against Slovakian hosts Vlci Zilina in November

Cardiff finished third in the final group in both 2023 and 2024, despite performing well on occasions.

And Richardson agrees with the suggestion that some Devils players might like to have the opportunity to play a couple of matches from those previous campaigns again.

"Definitely, especially last year, " he said.

"The first game, the loss against [2024 winners] Nomad Astana, I think we had the puck most of the game.

"Fair play to them, they took their chances when they got them but that one hurt last year.

"But we've got another chance this week."

Cardiff will also feel encouraged by taking on two teams they defeated in different stages of the Continental Cup last season.

On Thursday, the Devils open the tournament with a rematch against GKS Katowice who are seven-time champions of the Polish League.

Last year saw the Devils beat Katowice in a match considered by many to be one of the most memorable witnessed at the Vindico Arena.

"The atmosphere against Katowice was so impressive with their fans alongside ours, it was great to see," said Richardson.

The second game of this week's reduced group sees the Polish league leaders face the eight-time winners of the French League, Bruleurs de Loup on Saturday.

Then on Sunday Cardiff face the Grenoble-based French team in a game the Devils hope will see them become only the second British team, after Nottingham Panthers, to win a major European tournament.

Being their third successive tilt at the title, surely by now the Continental Cup is a tournament the Devils know how to win?

"We've got a lot of guys who have played in Europe and know the different styles of play and have been in this competition," added Richardson.

"Everyone's excited to be playing for the first available trophy of the season.

"If last year is anything to go by with the atmosphere and intensity on the ice, I think the fans are in for a treat."

IIHF Continental Cup 2025 final round

All matches at Vindico Arena, Cardiff

Thursday, 16 January

GKS Katowice v Cardiff Devils (19:30 GMT)

Saturday, 18 January

Bruleurs de Loups v GKS Katowice (18:00 GMT)

Sunday, 19 January

Cardiff Devils v Bruleurs de Loups (18:00 GMT)