Devils 5, Clan 2 - Final
Sunday night, and it's time for the Devils to get some revenge on the Braehead Clan, after last night's 3-1 defeat up in Scotland. With Player/Assistant Coach Scott Matzka missing for the Devils, supposedly with a mild concussion, and Mike Bayrack missing from the Clan's bench, due to visa problems, it was sure to be an interesting game.
The first period didn't get off to the best of starts in the BBT, with some technical problems delaying the FO. By the time the puck was dropped everyone was anxious to see what was going to happen. Once play started, the Devils created several changes, getting a few shots on goal, but last night's MOM Jaakko Suomalainen held strong in between the pipes. In the opening ten minutes, both teams also saw a couple of offsides.
The penalty box also saw some action in the initial twenty minutes. Starting at 7:14, Braehead had four players sent to the box, Galbraith the first for hooking, followed by Zajac for interference; Tim Wedderburn, who was the other Clan player to earn a penalty in last night's game, followed his teammates with a delay of game call. At 17:15, both Kyle Bruce and Brad Voth were served penalties, Bruce's for roughing. Voth's penalty, however, was for a high stick, for which he received five plus a game misconduct. To combat for this, Jeff Pierce took matters into his own hands and, with the help of Kenton Smith and Stuart MacRae, put the puck in the back of the net. Score at the end of the first, 1-0 Devils.
Roll on the second period! After good first period, the Devils came back out after the fifteen minute intermission, ready and raring to go. And did they ever show who's game it was! Just 1:06 into the period, Player/Coach Gerad Adams took hold of the puck and blasted it past Clan tender Suomalainen. With the score now 2-0 Devils, it is possible that Braehead were getting slightly frustrated. At 25:42, Kyle Bruce was put in the box for roughing, and Jordan Krestanovich followed with two for hooking. Despite the Clan penalties, the Devils' game continued to flow and Captain Stuart MacRae added the Devils' third goal of the night. To round of the period, Jeff Pierce scored his second of the night, and Gerad Adams was sent to the box for holding.
Another fifteen minute intermission and the players were back out on the ice, ready for the third period. The final twenty minutes saw two penalties and three goals, plus a change of goaltender. At 41:48, Ryan Campbell managed to pull one back for the Clan; James Jorgensen followed this up with a hooking penalty. Two minutes later, fellow Clan member Jordan Krestanovich joined Jorgensen in the box, after drawing a tripping call. This gave the Devils a 5-on-3 power-play, which they used to their advantage. At 44:46, British Defensemen Mark Richardson netted the Devils' fifth and final goal. In a last ditch attempt to pull back the game, Jordan Krestanovich added a second goal to the Clan's tally, at 53:18, just after the Devils had swtiched Lyle for Joe Myers. Final score: Devils 5, Clan 2.
Next game is on Saturday, in Fife, FO at 7:15pm. Can't make it up to Scotland? Follow the guys here: www.the-inferno.co.uk/mnl Let's Go Devils!
