Brett Perlini: Cardiff Devils game with Belfast Giants a ‘must win’

Perlini already has experience of that winning feeling.

He has been part of two gold medal World Championship wins with Great Britain as well as a Danish Cup triumph with Herning Blue Fox.

Last weekend he scored Cardiff’s third goal as they swept aside Poland’s GKS Katowice 6-3 in their opening match of the Continental Cup final group staged at their own Vindico Arena.

“We knew that we were going to have to be on top form and we were,” he said.

“Sometimes things just click, it seemed like the four lines were feeding off each other and one goal went in and then the next one – it was good.

“It’s not something that you think about in the moment, you’re just fighting to try and to do all the right things during the game, once it clicked, we were able to get into a good groove.”

Cardiff were in even better form for a winner-takes-all final game against French side Bruleurs de Loups.

Devils won 6-1 to claim the club’s first European title – and Perlini grabbed a hat-trick.

“Things clicked for me there a little bit, I was able to get a breakaway early on and shortly after scored on the rebound and then the icing on the cake with the empty netter.

“I think the team played so well that anybody could have been on the scoresheet that night.

“To do it in a cup final setting like that is very special and one I’ll remember for sure.”