Cardiff Devils Continental Cup hero Brett Perlini says Sunday’s Elite League showdown with Belfast Giants is a “must-win” game.
While Devils were becoming only the second British side to win a European trophy last weekend, the Giants were taking the Welsh side’s top spot in Elite League.
With wins over Sheffield Steelers, Manchester Storm and Guildford Flames this week, Belfast head to Cardiff on Sunday with a three-point advantage, albeit having played one game more.
And Devils – who have led the domestic league table since the opening weeks of the season – are taking the challenge head on.
“This is the exciting time, it’s just over halfway but it feels like we’re almost on the stretch here and it’s going to be nothing but fun from here on out,” said Perlini.
In a 54-game season, Devils have played 30 games – and faced a long away trip to face Fife Flyers in Scotland on Saturday before storm damage to the hosts’ venue forced a postponement., external
That still left Devils to contemplate what lies ahead against Giants.
“Every game is big from this point on, the points are huge, it’s going to be a tight race,” added Perlini.
It is a state of play the 34-year-old Canadian-born forward – once drafted by NHL side Anaheim Ducks – is relishing.
“That’s why you play,” he said.
“You want to play in the big games, whether it’s the Continental Cup final or playing for the league.
“Those are the most fun, they’re easy to get up for, that’s why you ultimately play the game, to play in the big games and the trophies that come with it.”
Perlini already has experience of that winning feeling.
He has been part of two gold medal World Championship wins with Great Britain as well as a Danish Cup triumph with Herning Blue Fox.
Last weekend he scored Cardiff’s third goal as they swept aside Poland’s GKS Katowice 6-3 in their opening match of the Continental Cup final group staged at their own Vindico Arena.
“We knew that we were going to have to be on top form and we were,” he said.
“Sometimes things just click, it seemed like the four lines were feeding off each other and one goal went in and then the next one – it was good.
“It’s not something that you think about in the moment, you’re just fighting to try and to do all the right things during the game, once it clicked, we were able to get into a good groove.”
Cardiff were in even better form for a winner-takes-all final game against French side Bruleurs de Loups.
Devils won 6-1 to claim the club’s first European title – and Perlini grabbed a hat-trick.
“Things clicked for me there a little bit, I was able to get a breakaway early on and shortly after scored on the rebound and then the icing on the cake with the empty netter.
“I think the team played so well that anybody could have been on the scoresheet that night.
“To do it in a cup final setting like that is very special and one I’ll remember for sure.”
It was mission accomplished for the Cardiff Devils.
On their third attempt at winning the Continental Cup they added an 18th major trophy to the club’s roll of honour.
And while Belfast may have seized an advantage on the domestic front, Perlini says the Devils’ European success will boost their bid for more silverware this season.
“Once you get a taste of it, you want it more and it is addictive.
“You learn what it takes to win those, and you try and replicate that every time because you know how worth it is in the end.”
Weekend fixtures
Saturday, 26 January – Fife Flyers P-P Cardiff Devils
Sunday 26 January – Cardiff Devils v Belfast Giants (18:00 GMT)
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