Elite League: Cardiff Devils out to end the shocks at Play-Off Finals

Oligny has competed in the extended play-off series of the American Hockey League (AHL) with Milwaukee Admirals and Manitoba Moose, as well as in Europe’s IceHL with Graz 99ers, but is experiencing the knockout system in UK hockey for the first time.

“It’s very scary,” he admitted.

“There’s no margin for error at all, which is very different from a best of seven or best of five games series.

“You could lose one period and lose the whole thing.

“I don’t know what to think of it yet, but if we win it, it’ll be fun, I’m sure.”

There is also the unique nature of the Finals Weekend – four teams in one venue with semi-finals and final in a little over 24 hours – which can itself make success in the Elite League Play-Offs so memorable.

“My old agent, who’s not with us now, Gunnar Svensson, used to say it’s the best kept secret in hockey,” said Thompson.

“I met up with his eldest son, Bjorn, and he said, ‘My Dad would rather have been at the final four in Nottingham than a game seven in the Stanley Cup watching his NHL players.’

“Nowhere in the world does it like this. You see fans from 10 different teams, different colours all the way around the stadium and the atmosphere is bouncing, absolutely bouncing.

“It’s a fantastic event, it’s a great occasion for the fans.”

If the Devils win, Thompson would become the first coach to lift Elite League trophies with three different clubs, but he will quickly pass on any credit to his squad.

“It’s them, the players. They’ll win it,” he said.

“We might have the blueprint, but they’re the guys that will get us over the line. Hopefully.”

And Oligny says the players are determined not to let the opportunity slip from their grasp.

“We’re very lucky that we’re coming hot at this moment of the year,” he said.

“We missed out on the league championship, missed out on the Challenge Cup and the way we’re playing right now, we feel like this is ours.

“We just have to go get it.”