Article by Chris O'Brien | Photos by James Assinder
Cardiff Fire were largely a footnote in the story of the season's final league game at Slough - so much so that the local newspaper managed to not even mention Fire, or the scoreline, in their report of the Jet's title triumph.
Yet as Slough won that game to clinch a first league title - the brave performance from a short-benched Fire characterised much of a competitive and hard-fought first season as underdogs back in ice hockey's third tier.
Head Coach Elis Sheppard was busy in the off season and beyond, recruiting talent to support the players making the leap up a division.
Over the season, Luther Daly, Joseph Llewellyn, James Matthews, Aaron Moody, Tom Stephens, Sulley Taylor and William Thurlbert joined the roster - adding a combination of speed, physicality and, from Thurlbert in particular, goals and assists.
Yet many familiar faces also made the step up with aplomb - highlighting the progression pathway Fire is offering players. Carter Lloyd was top points scorer with 11 goals and 20 assists. Bailey Hind-Pitcher bagged more goals than anyone else. Captain Lewis Stevens netted 11 times and found 9 assists. Net minder Ben Scanlan claimed five player of the match awards. Much of the spine of last season's team were pivotal in this season's successes.
Their combined efforts saw Fire clinch a play-off spot with their highest ever points tally and most ever wins at this level. Fire claimed seven victories - with a 2-1 win against Solent Devils, and a 1-0 triumph at Swindon Wildcats II the standout wins. Those six points proved decisive in pipping Oxford to eighth spot.
Of course, there were big defeats too. An 8-0 Christmas hangover home loss to rivals Swindon was a low moment. And there were other heavy defeats in a season that saw Fire ship 239 goals.
But even in defeat, Fire were often competitive. They not only had a good go at being championship party poopers at Slough, but gave the Jets a fright for 40-odd minutes on home ice. Fire led 4-3 at Romford before an avalanche of goals for the home side. There was also two nail-biting losses to the Buccaneers in South Wales. These were defeats that - with another season of hockey at this level under their belts - Fire may feel streetwise enough to claim points from next season.
The climb up a division meant a much busier fixture schedule. The fans - the #FireFamily - rose to the challenge. Some home gates at the Ice Arena Wales neared 500, while a bus of away supporters racked up many miles. Indeed, the capital city of Wales fully embraced the return of third tier hockey. Growing numbers of volunteers kept match nights running smoothly. Links with new sponsors, community groups and local sports teams were forged. But perhaps most importantly, an affiliation with the Cardiff Junior Devils ice hockey academy was re-established, offering pathways into senior hockey for many talented prospects.
It was a season that also saw the return of the Welsh Cup - a competition with a history so rich that BBC, S4C and other media gave strong coverage to a two-legged tussle with Deeside Dragons. While the North Walians ultimately came out on top, the 30 goals shared over the two legs wetted the appetite for the national cup to become a regular fixture once again.
Fire will retain their underdog status in the playoffs, and will somehow need to topple Slough and Streatham/Swindon to reach the final. But, whatever the outcome, reaching the play-offs marks an impressive first season back in a division the club has proven they belong in. Let's Go Fire!
