Although it’ll be the primary time for both organisation, Bruleurs de Loups’ captain Sacha Treille has been right here earlier than. In 2016 he helped Rouen win the trophy – and the reminiscences are nonetheless vivid.
“I don’t know it helps me this year, it was long ago,” Treille smiled. “But I will discuss it with my staff. Whenever you elevate a trophy, the whole thing is highest.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling and that’s what I want my team to have tomorrow.”
In home pageant, Bruleurs de Loups is in a fight on the most sensible of the Ligue Magnus desk. But there’s no query that luck in Cardiff can be a large deal because the membership seeks to grow to be simplest the second one in France to win the Continental Cup.
“It’s a trophy,” Treille mentioned. “Maybe it’s not the biggest European trophy but it’s something that many teams want to win.
“We’re going to do everything to raise that trophy, to bring it to our organisation for the first time. That means a lot for everyone here in Grenoble.”
It would additionally imply so much in Cardiff. Traditionally, Welsh carrying prowess is tied up with reminiscences of rugby glory, scarlet-clad legends slicing a swathe via global defences at the grassy fields of the valleys.
For the membership’s managing director, Todd Kelman, successful towards global opposition at the ice can simplest assist strengthen the Devils’ burgeoning standing on Cardiff’s energetic carrying scene – in addition to boosting the recognition of Britain’s Elite League.
“Being in international tournaments like the Continental has really helped raised the profile of the league,” Kelman mentioned. “We want to compete, we want to win it and we want to show that’s why our league’s better.
“It’s a European Championship. It’s a great honour to win something like this. To win an IIHF title, that’s a huge thing and it would be great for our organisation.”
The groups even have contemporary historical past. Last 12 months they met in Grenoble within the semifinals, with Cardiff edging a 1-0 verdict. That evening’s goalscorer, Justin Crandall, is not concerned however many from the 2024 rosters are again – together with goalies Ben Bowns and Jakub Stepanek, who shared 55 saves within the earlier come across.
Captain Treille hopes that have can assist Bruleurs de Loups in Sunday’s bid for a primary ever Continental Cup crown.
“We know a bit of what kind of game to expect after playing them last year,” he mentioned. “Our coaching staff will do some work on Cardiff and we will have a plan.”
Meanwhile, Devils head trainer Pete Russell is anticipating a in a similar fashion difficult check this 12 months.
“They’re a good team,” he instructed the Devils website online. “They move fast, they like to keep the puck. So we’ve got to be good outside the puck and we’ve got to be physical on them like we were against GKS.
“We had a really great game in their rink last year and I’m looking forward to Sunday.”
