When these two teams met in Liberec on Saturday, the home team won as expected, but they had more trouble with Cardiff than anyone would have expected. The Devils led 2-0 after one period and, following a three-goal second period by the White Tigers, stayed within a goal until the final few minutes of the game, ultimately falling 5-2.

“It was an extremely difficult game. They played very well, they scored two quick goals and it was very difficult to come from behind on them. They played really great,” said Liberec forward Daniel Špaček, whose team wants to make sure it doesn’t drop any points in Cardiff in the chase for a playoff spot.

Despite a great effort, playing with a lead against such a strong opponent was obviously a new experience, and player-coach Andrew Lord sees that as one thing the team could have done better. “The second period wasn’t good enough. Playing with the lead with a four-minute power play, we’ve got to be hungry to go for the kill shot and I think we let them off the hook a little bit.”

One thing the Devils will have on their side that they didn’t have in Liberec is a full house full of rabid fans at Ice Arena Wales.