The 2025 IIHF Continental Cup enters its final stage, and a trio of finalists are eager to capture the much-coveted Continental Cup winners' plate for the first time.

Hosts Cardiff Devils (GBR), GKS Katowice (POL), and Bruleurs de Loups (FRA) are all set to battle it out in the Welsh capital of Cardiff in a single round-robin series contested between 16 to 19 January 2025.

Prior to what promises to be an evenly matched conclusion to the 27th edition of the competition, let’s take a closer look at the three finalists.
 
Following two consecutive third-place finishes, can 2025 be the year of the Devil in the Continental Cup? After topping the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), the Cardiff Devils won three on the bounce in league play and will now be aiming for "third time lucky" in European competition.

"I think we are a very balanced team, but our biggest issue this season has been the number of injuries we have had," said Todd Kelman, Cardiff's managing director. "Starting from the back, I would say we've had the best goaltending in our league. Our defence are a lot better as a group than they were a year ago and our forwards are fast.  We play with speed, and that, I think, is our key to success."

An injury-ravaged Devils squad booked their place in the final round courtesy of two convincing performances during Round 3, Group E three months ago in Zilina, Slovakia. Fan-favourite Joey Martin led the team in scoring and Josh MacDonald tallied in all three games.

A vital cog back in action is netminder Mac Carruth. Back with the Devils for a second stint, the 32-year-old American experienced the special Continental Cup Final atmosphere in Cardiff last year in the colours of Denmark´s Herning Blue Fox.

Having recently become a go-to venue for the Continental Cup, Cardiff hosted the penultimate stage of the competition in 2023, followed by back-to-back finals.

"It`s an honour to host this prestigious event for a second straight year," said Kelman. "Our fans love this competition and although it´s fun for them to travel to a new place to play in the Continental Cup, that is only accessible for 300-400 of our fans. Hosting allows all our fans an opportunity to see the Continental Cup in person."
 
GKS Katowice is shining in the Polish top division and currently sits second in the domestic championship. Coach Jacek Plachta has recently tweaked his roster, but you can expect the trusted top line of national team stalwarts Bartosz Fraszko, Patryk Wronka, and Grzegorz Pasiut to play key roles for the team affectionately known as GiekSa.

"I have very fond memories from playing in the Continental Cup," said Pasiut. "It´s a reward for our strong performances in the Polish league and I think it’s a fantastic competition where we get tested against opponents at a different level than at home. Our fans will be with us no matter where the games are played, always supporting us loudly and in large numbers, which gives us wings."

GKS Katowice came out on top in Round 3, Group F, which took place in Aalborg, Denmark in November, Fraszko scored the decisive goal, sending the Poles to their third appearance in the finals of the Continental Cup. Wronka and Pasiut finished as the top scorers of the group with seven points apiece from three games.

The Silesians are set to make their third finals appearance (2019, 2024, and 2025). Katowice finished fourth last year in the final round played in Cardiff. The Poles suffered a narrow 3-2 loss versus a fired-up host on Day Two. Now, a year later, comes the opportunity to redeem themselves, with the Devils awaiting Katowice in their opener.

"Even the smallest mistake can determine the outcome, as our opponents will not show mercy if we perform poorly," said Pasiut. "We also need to improve our efficiency during power plays."
 
An impressive run of 17 consecutive victories might have ended last weekend. But the current runaway leaders in France´s League Magnus, Bruleurs de Loups, will arrive in Cardiff in high spirits.

 "We have been happy with the results so far, as we are top of the league," said head coach Per Hanberg. "We have two good goalies, depth in our roster, and played with four lines all season. But we are not getting ahead of ourselves and work hard at an individual and tactical level, as there are a lot of things we can do a lot, lot better."

Including a fine 4-2 win versus GKS Katowice, the Grenoble-based team tallied 18 goals in Round 3, Group F in Denmark´s Aalborg to advance to the finals. The eight-time French champions´ most recent bout with Cardiff in this competition was a tight 1-0 loss in Round 3 on home ice in Grenoble in November 2023.

Last season, Hanberg led Herning Blue Fox to second place in the competition. Coming back to South Wales, the aim now is to go one better. 

"I´ve been in Cardiff before and then ended up with the silver," said Hanberg. "This year, it´s three teams really fighting for victory and it´s open to who can win it. If we can manage to play our game, be disciplined, and be good in special teams, then we have a great chance. We will go there with confidence and do everything in our power to win."