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 IT'S all systems go for the Cardiff Devils' move to the international sports village in Cardiff Bay for the new ice-hockey season.
The club has received the final designs for its £2.5m temporary home and
hopes to be in its new rink by the end of August this year.
Their first home challenge match is scheduled for the first weekend of September with the season starting on the following Saturday.
Cardiff council is currently finalising arrangements for the operation of the temporary rink and tenders to operate the Cardiff Bay site are to be invited.
Cardiff Devils owner Maraini Phillips said, "Having obtained the plans for our new home, Cardiff council has now allowed me to sign Ed Paterson as head coach.
"It gives him time to ensure he has every chance of maintaining the current squad and adding new players."
Public skating at the rink is likely to continue beyond May 31 ? when the current lease runs out ? until fittings are removed for installation at the sports village.
"Once the temporary ice rink has been completed the council will have specialist key staff available to ensure the building is operational for public use immediately," said chief executive Byron Davies.
But on the ice the Devils season came to a disappointing end in the play-off finals at Nottingham Ice Centre. Despite outplaying Sheffield Steelers, the Devils crashed out in a dramatic penalty shootout after a terrible error by netminder Peter Aubry during the first two minutes and a whole series of missed chances.
"Cardiff were the better team and should have been three goals ahead in the first couple of periods," said Sheffield coach Dave Whistle. "We were saved by our goaltender Jody Lehman, who was magnificent."
A major turning point was a fierce hit on the boards by Devils' Brad Voth on Stefan Sjorgren. Swedish defenceman Sjorgren went down heavily after his helmet flew off and his head hit the boards. He was taken off on a stretcher.
Referee Moray Hanson did not give a penalty for the hit, but then changed his mind after Sjorgren was taken off and threw Voth out of the game.
"Nobody likes to see a player hurt and we wish Stefan all the best, but it is a physical game," said Devils coach Patterson. "It was a clean hit, there should not have been a penalty. Brad is devastated."
The Devils were stunned when Martin Masa's shot from halfway hit goalie Aubry's stick and trickled over the line after one minute 31 seconds.
Cardiff went on to dominate the first period and the second, but missed chance after chance. They equalised through Louis Goulet's shot into the roof of the net from Jonathan Phillips' feed, but the Devils failed to capitalise on further chances.
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