Cardiff Devils @ Hull Stingrays 23/01/11

Devils 3, Stingrays 1 - Final

  And the wins keep on coming!  Can the Devils possibly be starting another winning streak?  Only time will tell with this team.  But back to the game on hand, a win was certain.

  Although the Hull side weren't as easy to dispose of as the Braehead side the night before, Cardiff managed a pretty comfortable win at the Hull Arena.  As per usual, Jon Pelle got us off to a great start, scoring on the powerplay just 3.47 into the first period.  Coming off a good night beforehand, with a goal and an assist, Stuart MacRae added a second consecutive assist, along with Scott Matzka.

  Cardiff's success did not stop there.  Although the rest of the first period was scoreless, MacRae, bettering his game again, scored just 0.15 seconds into the 2nd.  He shot the puck into the back of the net with the help of Tylor Michel and Kenton Smith - who had a fantastic game the night before, with some great defending and breakaways.  However, the 2-0 lead the Devils had built was shorten by one at 11.38 when the Stingrays defensemen Read managed to get one back against Stevie Lyle (who would later receive Cardiff's Man of The Match award).

  To set us up for an incredible third period, your Captain, Ryan Finnerty, just had to round off the second period with a brawl!  Finnerty, known throughout the league for his fighting abilities, and his opponent, Craig Mitchell, both received five for Fighting, although Mitchell served an extra two for Cross-Checking - which is what led to the fight anyway.  Finnerty was just looking out for his team.

  Carrying on from Finnerty, the rest of the Devils just had to one-up him.  The only way to do that?  Score a goal that would ensure our victory.  And that's what they did.  At 2.38 in the third, Mark Richardson got a hold of the puck and it wasn't going anywhere but the back of the net.  Not wanting to be left out of the last goal, MacRae just had to get involved, followed by Jon Pelle - who had scored the first goal.

  So Cardiff come out on top against - and maintain a three point lead at the top of the League, with a guaranteed spot in the quarter-finals of the play-offs!  Let's go, Devils.

  Don't forget to buy your tickets for the next home game, against the Edinburgh Capitals, for Saturday 29th January - the day before the All-Star Game for those of you who follow the NHL!