Devils Make History: Cardiff Conti Cup Champs
Cardiff Devils won the IIHF Continental Cup for the first time in the club’s history, beating French side Bruluers de Loups 6-1 in the deciding match on home ice.
Devils become only the second British side to win a European competition after Nottingham Panthers won the cup in 2017.
It has been a good season for British teams in Europe, with Sheffield Steelers becoming only the second British team to progress from the group stage of the Champions Hockey League.
Early Lead
A sell-out Vindico Arena erupted when Tyler Busch gave Devils a sixth minute lead against the run of play. Grenoble-based Bruleurs de Loups equalised 10 minutes later with a goal from Aurelien Dair.
Devils went back ahead on the 23rd minute when Kohen Olischefski put Great Britain forward Brett Perlini in on a one-on-one with Slovenian national keeper Matija Pintaric to score.
Perlini was back among the goals seven minutes later, pouncing on a re-bound after Bayley Harewood’s attempt was blocked.
A Victory Parade
Two Devils goals in quick succession put the result beyond doubt and the fans in the Vindico Arena could begin to properly celebrate.
The final three goals, scored by Josh MacDonald, Cole Sandford, and Perlini for his hattrick, were each cheered louder than the last.
The Devils have significant pedigree in Europe, having placed third in the Continental Cup in the previous two seasons. This victory, though, is their first triumph and could be just the start of an excellent season.
Cardiff are currently top of the Elite Ice Hockey League table and are also through to the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup. Could a treble be on the cards?
Even if this is the only silverware of the season, the Devils fans have greatly enjoyed this season, after 2023/24 proved to be one of frustration and near misses.
A Welsh Sporting Success Story
“I think this win shows the strength of our league,” said Brett Perlini, who scored a hat-trick in the decisive victory over Bruleurs de Loups.
“Any time you compete in Europe; you’re being judged by other countries. Hopefully our teams can continue to do well in this tournament and beyond.”
The strength of the Elite League is still heavily dependent on the quality of its imports, a hotly contested talking point among hockey fans in the UK.
Nevertheless, there’s a British spine to the Devils. Head coach Pete Russell has masterminded the national team’s progress in recent seasons, ending a 25-year wait for top division World Championship action.
‘Bayley Harwood, he’s one of our own’
Club captain Mark Richardson is a veteran of the national team, while Perlini is a key forward for club and country. And, at the other end of the scale, 21-year-old forward Bayley Harewood could be a rising star for the Devils.
He was called up from the National Ice Hockey League’s Bristol Pitbulls last month after an impressive 54 points in 32 games in Britain’s second-tier league. And he got his first point for the Devils with an assist in Sunday’s win over Grenoble.
After the game, the home crowd sang his name: ‘Bayley Harewood, he’s one of our own!’ The youngster comes from Barry, a short drive from the Devils’ arena.
That local connection made Sunday’s success extra special.
“It was wicked!” Harewood smiles.
“Being a homeboy, hearing that anthem is special. I live like 15 minutes away from the arena, I’ve come up through the juniors here and being a part of this team now is a great feeling.”
The fans aren’t alone in singing Harewood’s praises. Perlini also likes what’s developing.
“It’s great to see Bayley,” the forward adds. “He made a great play on my second goal on the night.
“It’s always good to give young guys a chance and it’s nice to see him taking it.”
Harewood, too, is relishing the step up to the Devils, gaining ice time and experience at home and against European opposition.
“Things are good now, I’m in the mixer,” he adds.
“I’m feeling better, getting more ice time, feeling confident. It’s good. I feel like I’m playing better as well. I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
‘The People Make It Special’
Whatever comes next, there’s a sense that the Devils have an organisation that does things the right way.
The management group is small, but close knit and dedicated. There’s a warm, welcoming atmosphere around the arena that attracts players and keeps them with the club.
Canadian centre Joey Martin, a fan favourite, is in his ninth season with the Devils after crossing the Atlantic for the first time in 2014. Now 36, he’s still excited to be here.
“There’s a lot of things that make it special,” he says.
“But I think it’s really the people. It starts with the owners; you can see them all here celebrating with us tonight.
“It’s like a big family but with high expectations. As a player it’s a great place to be.”
A First European title
Great places generate great memories, and winning the Continental Cup on home ice is right up there – especially after going so close in the past two seasons.
“I think we were very highly motivated,” Martin explains.
“We knew it was our third final, and we really wanted to get it done this year. It’s something we wanted as a club we haven’t done it before, so we just used that as another motivation.”
Another veteran on the team, British defender Josh Batch, is in his 13th season with Cardiff. The 34-year-old is determined to make the most of every moment despite winning every available domestic trophy with the Devils.
“I’ve been playing 13 years and I’m maybe coming towards the end of that,” Batch says.
“Winning a trophy means a bit more now, you never know when your last one is going to be.
“Everyone has to try and embrace it while there’s a chance to. Hopefully we’ll have a few more by the end of this season but it’s a different perspective coming towards the end of my career.”
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