Devils net-minder Stevie Lyle in action against the Capitals

CARDIFF Devils’ player-coach Gerad Adams has pledged to make life “uncomfortable” for his players this week after their disappointing showing in the 1-0 defeat by Edinburgh Capitals in the Elite League on Sunday.

Canadian forward Owen Fussey scored the only goal of the game as the Capitals shutout Cardiff thanks to an inspired performance by net-minder Cody Rudkowsky.

Defeat leaves Cardiff looking over their shoulders at the chasing pack and all but ends their chances of a late-season title charge.

A frustrated Adams said: “We are working hard but not playing smart enough, and we looked a bit tired tonight. Things are going to get a bit uncomfortable around here this week.”

Adams cited poor finishing as a problem over the weekend – they had 50 shots in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle Vipers and 38 at the Cardiff Bay Arena on Sunday. And indiscipline continues to haunt them, the Devils racking-up 73 minutes of penalty time against the Capitals.

He said: “We had our chances and the guys have got to start executing them – it’s down to the individual to have the composure to put them away.

“Our discipline is not good at the moment and until we make a group decision to cut the penalties out we won’t move forward. When we keep our control we dominate games but we can’t get any rhythm at the moment.”

Stevie Lyle, the Devils’ Welsh goalie, was in good form for the home side, almost matching his counterpart Rudkowsky with 25 saves from 26 shots. He said: “I played OK but Rudkowsky had a great game. You’re always going to come across a goalie in great form now and again. It goes round and round – we either win the game or lose it for the team.

“The coach wasn’t very happy with us but we will spend this week looking at the tapes and seeing where we can improve.”

Adams suggested his side need to change their focus heading into the remainder of the season. He said: “We are in limbo a little bit at the moment and I think we should be looking back at the teams catching us rather than ahead at the moment. We have to slow it down, go back to basics and hopefully we will get some better results.”