Home Double-Header Preview: Fire Ready for Back-to-Back Battle with the Buccs and Chiefs on Remembrance Weekend

Preview by Peter Ryan / Photos by James Assinder & Simon Douglass

Join us for our back-to-back home games against Romford Buccaneers on Saturday 7th November and Chelmsford Chieftains on Sunday 8th November. Click HERE to book your tickets online and beat the queues on the door.

The Cardiff Fire head into a massive weekend with back-to-back action in the Bay. Cardiff welcome the Romford Buccaneers on Saturday, and the Chelmsford Chieftains will come to the Welsh capital this Sunday. It is a massive weekend for the Fire’s season as they will be hunting for redemption after a Halloween loss to the Chieftains. There is no doubt the Fire Family crowd will be in full voice, and the players will leave it all out on ice for victory. It has all the makings of a fantastic double-header weekend.

Last time out

Last weekend the Fire travelled to league leaders Chelmsford, looking to keep their momentum going. It wasn’t meant to be for the Welsh side, as they were defeated by the Chieftains 7-2. After a cagey opening 20 minutes and Fire hitting the post within the opening 10 second, the home side took the lead late in the period. The second period is where the contest truly played out. Chelmsford found the net four times. Rhys Smetham squared the game for a brief period, scoring within the first minute. It meant that Cardiff went into the period with a steep hill to climb. Owen Smetham put the puck in the back of the net to show signs of life. However, Chelmsford closed out the game with two important goals.

The scoreline doesn’t reflect the competitiveness of the contest; the Fire will be looking to bounce back this weekend.

The numbers

Throughout the season so far, the Fire have shown that when on the attacking front foot, they are lethal. One major positive for Cardiff this season has been their ability to create chances; they've created and capitalised on them.

Last time out, the Fire produced two goals from four assists, but didn’t test the net as much as they would have liked; they got off 25 shots at goal. Cardiff will be searching for that lights-out attack this weekend, and if they do, big results could follow.

Upcoming clashes

As previously stated, the Fire travelled to Romford the last time the two met; with the Fire coming away with a 5-3 victory. The Buccaneers sit bottom of the table with three points. After that, the rematch with the Chieftains is going to be a massive test. More importantly, prior to the to puck drop, a pre-game ceremony will take place to mark Remembrance Sunday and honour all those who lost their lives to secure and protect our freedom.

They will look for a brilliant performance against league leaders. Cardiff ice hockey fans should also have a keen interest in Sunday’s game as it could be Josh Batch’s first time back in the Welsh capital since leaving the Devils.  Two different challenges, but it will be back-to-back days of great action.

The Vindico Arena will be alight with the Fire’s passion and desire to win. It’s going to be loud, and maybe a big performance looms.