Canucks Close Regular Season with Two Road Wins

Cardiff secure crucial victories heading into playoff quarterfinal

The Cardiff Canucks wrapped up their regular season with a dramatic three-game stretch, securing two vital road victories that set the stage for their playoff quarterfinal against Haringey Huskies.

Sunday, March 15: Milton Keynes Thunder 3-4 Cardiff (OT)

Just two weeks after their thrilling overtime win at home against Milton Keynes, Cardiff returned to Planet Ice Milton Keynes and delivered another dramatic overtime victory, this time winning 4-3 on the road.

The game was a physical battle from start to finish. Cardiff trailed 1-0 after the first period before leveling things at 2-2 after forty minutes. The teams traded goals again in the third, setting up overtime at 3-3.

Goal scorers for Cardiff were Bradley Craper, Sam Davies, and Carter Lloyd, who netted his second of the game—including the perfect overtime winner to seal the points.

The performance represented an incredible team effort from both experienced players and developing juniors. A significant milestone came for Bradley Craper, who achieved his first ever Canucks goal and assist, earning him the team-voted Canucks Cowboy Hat for the evening.

John Dibble stood strong in net all night, earning Player of the Match honors with a stellar performance that kept Cardiff in the contest throughout.

Saturday, March 21: Haringey Huskies 1-2 Cardiff (SO)

Cardiff traveled to the iconic Alexandra Palace in London for a crucial away fixture against Haringey—the same venue where they would return just days later for their playoff quarterfinal. It's a notoriously difficult place to visit, with only league leaders Guildford and Peterborough having taken points away from Haringey at home all season.

The game remained scoreless through the first period before Max McEwan broke the deadlock in the second to give Cardiff the lead. Haringey equalized in the second period, sending the game to overtime tied at 1-1.

When overtime solved nothing, the game went to a shootout. Carter Lloyd stepped up to score the winning penalty shot, while John Dibble turned away all of Haringey's attempts to secure the victory. Dibble earned another Player of the Match award for his outstanding performance, denying numerous Haringey scoring opportunities throughout regulation and standing firm in the shootout.

The victory represented sweet revenge for Cardiff after losing to Haringey at home earlier in the season, and provided the perfect momentum heading into the playoff quarterfinal rematch at the same venue.

Sunday, March 22: Bristol Pitbulls 3-1 Cardiff

Cardiff made the trip to Bristol in what proved to be a tense, physical local derby. Despite the effort, the Canucks fell 3-1 in a high-tension encounter that saw both teams battling hard throughout. Joe Tearall provided Cardiff's lone goal on the night. John Dibble earned Player of the Match honors for his work between the pipes, while Jaydon Ford received the team-voted Canucks Cowboy Hat. While not the result the team wanted, it was a hard-fought contest against tough opposition.

Looking Ahead

With the regular season complete, Cardiff now turns its attention to the playoffs. The Canucks will face Haringey Huskies in a one-off playoff quarterfinal at Alexandra Palace—a venue where they've now proven they can win.