‘The Cardiff Devils fans are the best in the league’ says assistant coach

Fans were treated to back-to-back games bursting with team spirit as Cardiff’s ice hockey champions returned to their home turf

Fans were treated to back-to-back games on the weekend of the 24-25 November as the Cardiff Devils returned to their home turf, where they took on the Belfast Giants for the first time this season.

The weekend double-header kicked off on Saturday 24 November at the Viola Arena in the Bay. The ice hockey champions offered their fans an exciting first match, despite the Devils losing 3-4. Unfortunately Sunday’s game brought more of the same with the Devils losing 1-4.

Even though fans did not get the results they had hoped for, the atmosphere in the crowd more than made up for it.

@cardiffdevils @redredraz Back home in the north east after an enjoyable weekend in Cardiff supporting the Cardiff Devils. Not the best of results but that is sport for you. Can’t wait to go back down as nothing better than watching the games in person.#letsgodevils.

— Stephen Birchall (@STE515) November 25, 2019

“The Devils fans are some of the best in the league,” said assistant coach, Luke Piggott. “The recent introduction of a standing section in the stands has also added massively to the atmosphere at home games,” he added.

Fan participation is a big part of the experience. During every game, fans have the opportunity to get involved in competitions to win prizes while raising money for charities.

This season, the Devils teamed up with Kidney Wales, a charity raising funds for research and promoting the visibility of people in Wales living with a renal disease. Players Matthew Myers and Bryce Reddick were named as ambassadors for the charity.

The Devils were in their classic red kit on Saturday and fans had the chance to win the jersey of one of the forwards of the team, Stephen Dixon, at the end of the game, in the ‘Shirt Off His Back’ raffle.

This season’s ‘Chuck a Puck’ competition gave fans the chance to grab a photo with their favourite Devil. Visit Cardiff put up the prizes so the winner got to pick from one of their experiences in and around the city, which include a Barista course for two at the 200 Degrees Coffee shop and an adventure sailing day for two with Challenge Wales.

“The fans are different from any other sport,” Luke concluded. “It’s at the core of hockey to engage far more with the fans and it is what makes hockey special.”

Red Army fans could prolong their experience with autograph signings after both games plus postgame skating on Sunday on the main pad until 7:30pm.

Words by Ceryn Evans, Amy Fretwell, Georgina Cartwright, Elissa Abou Merhi