By Amie Louis Thomas, Gardeot Gazette Cardiff Devils Correspondent – 5th September 2025

Cardiff Devils v Nottingham Panthers - 5th September 2025

The fans who support this team are more like family than simply people at a rink watching a game. The noise inside Vindico Arena never fails to amaze. The chants, the dancing, the togetherness — it all creates that family feel, where everyone is there to enjoy good hockey and to back their team.

Cardiff Devils showed in pre-season that they can get the job done. Tonight’s 3–0 victory over the Nottingham Panthers was proof of that. The power on display was something no fan will want to miss this year. The defence was solid, the forwards fast and hungry, and in goal, Ben Bowns stood firm as he has for the past ten years. His first shutout of the campaign was well deserved and a moment the fans celebrated loudly.

A few gloves were dropped, a few punches thrown, but that only highlighted the grit and determination of this squad. The roster looks set to provide plenty of excitement, with big characters on the ice, speed and strength in every position, and an unrelenting drive to find the back of the net.

This was just the beginning — and the season ahead promises to be one worth watching.

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