Cardiff Devils Face Coventry Blaze in Elite League Play-Off Quarter-Finals

Cardiff Devils, last Play-Off champions in 2022, start their Elite League quarter-finals against Coventry Blaze aiming for their first trophy in four years. With strong recent form and experienced coaching, they face a tough challenge in Coventry.

Cardiff Devils Aim for First Domestic Trophy in Four Years

The Cardiff Devils, who last secured the Elite League Play-Offs title in 2022 and were runners-up in 2023 and 2025, commence their play-off campaign this weekend in strong form. Their objective is to claim their first domestic trophy since 2022.

The Devils will travel to face Coventry Blaze for the first leg of their quarter-final on Saturday, with the return leg scheduled in Cardiff 24 hours later. The victorious team will advance to the Elite League (EIHL) Play-Off Finals weekend, set to take place in Nottingham on 18-19 April.

Cardiff enter the season's climax in promising condition, having won seven of their last eight games. Their sole defeat in this period was a narrow 5-4 loss at Coventry.

This positive run followed a 5-3 loss to Glasgow Clan in mid-March, a result that deeply disappointed head coach Paul Thompson.

"I was really upset with the display up in Glasgow, the effort and the commitment that I'd got from the group, and we all got together and told a few home truths," said former GB coach Thompson.

"It's been a bit of tough love over this period to get us back on track and the players have to take the plaudits because they've delivered."

Joey Martin skating close to the Coventry net — Image caption, Joey Martin is one of three Cardiff Devils' players to reach 20 goals this season

Devils' Recent Performance and Upcoming Challenge

Despite the close defeat at the Skydome Arena on 29 March, Cardiff will face a Coventry side they have defeated five times out of six in league encounters this season. However, many observers have been surprised that Coventry finished only seventh in the regular EIHL campaign.

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Devils' captain Joey Martin commented on the challenge ahead:

"They're a much better team than that represents and we're going to have to be ready for that."

"They have a good mix of skill. They're physical, their structure is really good, I think they're pretty dialled into their systems, and they're well coached."

"So, it's a tough match-up, especially when you go and play in Coventry."

The season could have unfolded differently for Kevin Moore's Coventry Blaze, who had a strong Challenge Cup campaign, including victories over the Devils both home and away in the group stages. However, their bid for the title ended with an overtime loss to Nottingham Panthers in the final.

As four-time EIHL champions, Coventry are seeking their first trophy since 2015 and will be highly motivated to reach the Finals weekend.

"I think we have to be ready for that," added Martin.

"We're going in game one into their arena, it's a smaller rink, it's not an easy arena to play in."

"We need to be ready right off the hop because last time we went there we weren't very good in the first period and they put up four goals on us."

"Hopefully we've learnt that lesson that we need to be ready for when the puck drops."

Cardiff Devils' Recent History and Season Overview

Cardiff have not won the league since their back-to-back successes in 2017 and 2018, which were followed by three consecutive Play-Off trophies. They were contenders for the 2025-26 regular season title until mid-campaign setbacks allowed the Belfast Giants to extend their lead over other rivals.

Throughout the season, the Devils have maintained a high volume of shots on goal. However, head coach Thompson believes they have not converted enough of these opportunities into goals.

"When you're putting 55 shots on teams and you're giving up 17 shots and you're losing, you have to find ways to win, and we didn't do that enough when we were in the ascendancy for the league," lamented Thompson.

"We didn't win the league, and we have to accept that, but we wanted to be the best of the rest and I think that our form coming into this play-off shows that we have been."

Thompson, who has won numerous trophies while previously coaching Coventry and Sheffield Steelers, could become the first coach to win a domestic title with three different clubs.

"We now have a one-in-eight chance to win a trophy, and there will be no one more delighted than me if we do it, but there's a long way to go," added the 58-year-old, who brings vast experience to the role.