Article by Chris O’Brien - Photos by James Assinder
Cardiff Fire's head coach Elis Sheppard was honest in his assessment of the 2022-23 season - admitting his team had "massively underachieved" on the ice this year.
His honesty is testimony to his integrity and maturity. Shep took on the Fire hot seat this season at the age of 25; replacing the vastly experienced Mark Cuddihy, who remains a trusted confidant as the club's director of hockey.
Shep delivered his assessment as the league campaign came to a close with a surprise 6-4 home loss at the hands of a spirited Solent Devils side, who were delirious when the final hooter sounded in the Welsh capital.
It was a game which also marked the conclusion of a six-match suspension for Shep. The ban forced him to spend the final two months of the season off the ice; but Fire's boss still lived and breathed every moment as if he was still the starting defenceman.
And while his Fire team ultimately clung onto a playoff spot - finishing eighth - even the most optimistic fan would admit this season's on-ice return has been - to use a technical term - a bit average.
It's been a season of change - but still one peppered with big contributions. Kristians Kasjanovs has top-scored with an impressive 18 regular season goals, while Lewis Stevens - stepping up as captain to replace Shep this season - has bagged a valuable 13 goals and 15 assists.
Netminders Carwyn Jones and Ben Scanlan have both produced some really big performances, in an entertaining tussle for the goalie spot. Scanlan even got an Elite League call when the Fife Flyers visited the Cardiff Devils. Elsewhere, youngsters such as Arthur Luceau, Simon Sulc, Tobias Gale and Robert Price all joined the roster as the club build for the future.
Yet, before the unplayed fixtures were unfortunately calculated off the ice, Fire finished up with only nine wins and 13 losses in their season's account. This included seven home defeats at an Ice Arena Wales that has so often been the team's fortress in the past.
Despite that end-of-season loss to Solent, the #FireFamily were in fine voice in Cardiff, producing one of the best home atmospheres of the season. While results this season clearly haven't been what those Fire fans would have hoped for, the playoffs offer the chance to wipe the slate clean and still make 2022-23 a season to remember.
Because when sports fans look back through the history books at what their team has achieved - they rarely remember anything that's been a bit average. Instead, they remember the highs - and the lows. Playoff hockey is perfect for producing both! Oh, and fans also tend to remember the derby matches too!
Fire have already produced some epic highs this season that ice hockey fans in the Welsh capital may never forget - and they happened to be against local rivals!
Back in October, Fire produced a memorable late show to beat bitter rivals Bristol Pitbulls on the road; maintaining their perfect record at the new Bristol rink and claiming another famous win in a Severnside derby fixture that has so often favoured the South Walians.
Wind the clock forward to January, and things got even better - in another derby. Fire were down and out, trailing 5-0 to Swindon Wildcats, with 45 minutes on the clock - before producing an incredible late comeback, inspired by a hat-trick from 'The Doctor' Chris Fox. Netminder Scanlan and Iwan Davies - whose infamous hard shot helped him score 15 times during the regular season - were the heroes in the shoot-out. Fire somehow had turned the game around, and secured a two point return that would prove crucial in edging out Chelmsford for the final playoff spot.
So - as luck would have it - it's clear to see why there was a bit of excitement at the Fire when the playoff quarter-final draw threw up another derby - and the chance for Cardiff Fire to renew their acquaintance with the Bristol Pitbulls over two legs.
If Fire can beat their noisy neighbours again, and end up at Finals Weekend at the famous Ally Pally in London, then Shep may need to revisit his assessment of the 2022-23 season, and celebrate what his team have "massively achieved" instead!
Article by Chris O’Brien of Standing Room Only sports and music show on Radio Cardiff 98.7FM.
