Cardiff Devils @ Coventry Blaze (CC) 27/10/2012

Devils 1, Blaze 2 - Final

  After a thrilling third period win on Thursday, the Red Army travelled to Coventry on Saturday night with high hopes of their Cardiff Devils continuing their win streak.  Unfortunately the Blaze were feeling hot and powered through to gain those precious two points, putting them all the more closer to the Challenge Cup quarter finals.

  There were some early minor penalties for both teams, followed by some exciting end-to-end action and the usually physical play when these two teams come together.  Zed physical play let to a 2
+10 for Benn Olson, with a cross-checking minor and misconduct for checking from behind.  The Red Army saw an improved Devils' power play but the Welsh side were unable to capitalise on the advantage.

  With the Devils' Brit line (Davies, Harding, Piggot) giving Hirsch problem, it was only a certain amount of time until the scoring started.  Having been worn down by the Devils forecheck, Hirsch had his own players getting in the way, after a slip up from Olson led to a chance for Cardiff power forward Max Birbraer putting the visitors ahead, just in time for the end of the period.

  Not a team to lie down easily, Coventry came out fighting for the second; just three minutes in, Shea Guthrie had scored an equaliser - this coming after some four on four hockey, with both teams having players in the box.  Coventry's physicality continued as Giudice earned himself a 10 min misconduct and a game misconduct for abuse of official, after pushing a linesman for calling an offside.  After a few more minors for both sides, the Blaze managed to push ahead, with a PPG coming from Schutte.
 
  Off to the third and it was now or never for the Cardiff Devils.  The Blaze started the period on the power play, after a late second period call on Max Birbraer.  The Devils stepped it up and defended well, keeping Coventry from increasing their lead.  The rest of the period flew by quickly, with the Devils pulling Osaer - but having no real effect.  Final score 2-1 Blaze.

  The Coventry Blaze travelled to the BBT on Sunday night for the return leg of this double ended Challenge Cup weekend, rounding off the weekend with a 3-2 win over the Cardiff Devils - meaning they took all four points and travel through to the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup.

  Don't forget to head down to the BBT on Thursday, as the Hull Stingrays come to town!  If you can't make it, follow along at Match Night Live on The Inferno.  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils vs Dundee Stars (L) 25/10/2012

Devils 4, Stars 2 - Final

  Despite a less than stellar crowd, the Cardiff Devils managed to pull off a show-stopping third period on Thursday night, defeating the Dundee Stars 4-2 in the BBT.  

  It wasn't looking promising for the Welsh side, with the Stars starting the scoring just 37 seconds into the game, Bagron the scorer.  With their confidence knocked, the Devils continued slowly throughout the rest of the period, with no goals going up and the Stars dancing passed to take a shot at Osaer.  The Devils brightened up towards the end of the period, forcing some chances on net, and taking some penalties, but nothing would stick and the period finished 1-0 Stars.

  After a late first period penalty from the Devils, Dundee went the power play early on in the second, capitalising on the advantage to give themselves a two-goal lead.  Cardiff had some power play chances themselves, but failed to pull one back, despite their play picking up towards the end.  End of second: 2-0 Stars.

  With Ripel demonstrating why he is the second most played goaltender in the league frequently throughout the game, it wasn't any wonder why the Red Army were starting to get a bit antsy.  The home side had begun to pile the pressure on the Canadian net minder, a goal was imminent but fans were expectantly nervous.  It wasn't until Mac Faulkner had levelled the score, with goals coming at  42.40 and 45.05, that the Cardiff fans could finally have a bit of breather.  

  With fresh legs, Cardiff pushed on, their physicality showing through.  With a couple of penalties putting the Devils are a slight disadvantage, it looked like it would be going to OT but the guys stepped it up.  Five minutes left in the game and Max Birbraer put Cardiff ahead for the first time in the game, scoring on a turnaround shot.  Desperate to hold the lead, the Devils gave it their all, but had to finish up the game with a man disadvantage, as Captain Stuart MacRae was sent to the box with just 20 seconds remaining.  It was all or nothing, especially with the Stars pulling Ripel in favour of an extra attacker.

  It was scrappy and very lucky, but the Devils managed to put the puck in the back of the net for a fourth and final time, Chris Blight scoring a short-handed, empty-netter with just two seconds left on the clock!  Man of the match awards went to Nic Ripel and Max Birbraer and the game finished with a final score of 4-2 Devils.

  With all the excitement of the midweek game, don't forget about the amazing weekend of hockey coming up.  The Cardiff Devils travel to the Skydome on Saturday (FO 7pm) for the first in a double headed weekend vs the Blaze.  Return leg to be played in the BBT on Sunday (FO 6pm).  If you're not taking the trip up with the Red Army, you can follow along at www.the-inferno.co.uk/match-night-live for the 'ridiculously childish' and 'disgustingly biased' MNL service, providing all scores and updates throughout both games.  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils vs Nottingham Panthers (L) 21/10/2012

Devils 2, Panthers 1 - Final

  After playing their best game of the season so far, the Cardiff Devils grabbed those all important two pints, defeating the Nottingham Panthers 2-1 last night at the BBT.  Having played hard but been disappointed on Friday, after a devastating challenge cup loss to the Sheffield Steelers, the Devils were desperately in need of a confidence boost and this nail-biting comeback victory was just what the doctor ordered!

  It was a nervous sixty minutes for both sides, playing a tight, physical game.  Powerful hits were being thrown from each side of the blue line, with some pushing and shoving being thrown in as well.  Play was even, with neither net minder having to face predominately more shots, and both were having a fantastic game and held off until the end of the period, the score still tied at 0-0.

  Panthers were quickly off the mark in the second, with David Clarke sending the puck over Phil Osaer's right shoulder to give the visitors the lead.  Both teams had several chances but Kowalski and Osaer were back on top form and nothing was going through.  With a few penalties being traded back and forth, the period finished 1-0 Panthers.

  Penalties played a big part in the final period.  With both of the Cardiff goals coming on the power play, from powerhouse forward Max Birbraer, the Devils definitely used the man advantage well.  Cardiff managed to hold their lead into the final few minutes, when Nottingham pull Kowalski for an extra attacker, also using a timeout to formulate a plan of attack.  Unfortunately for the northern side, Cardiff were determined and were not letting the puck anywhere near the back of the net.  End of the game: 2-1 Cardiff.

  With the Devils now raring to go with new-found-confidence, they will be looking ahead to Thursday, when the Dundee Stars come to town.  Puck drop is at 7:30pm, make sure you get down to the BBT to support the welsh side!  Lets Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Sheffield Steelers (CC) 19/10/2012

Devils 3, Steelers 4 - SO Final

  With the release of d-man Jamie Milam during the week, the Cardiff Devils were determined to demonstrate that they were turning a corner last night, as they travelled up to Sheffield for their next challenge cup fixture.  Having only won one out of three prior to last night, Cardiff were sitting in fourth in Challenge Cup Group B and were desperately in need of the points.

  The Devils started strong, with good chances and hard hits coming from all players.  With the big hits being reciprocated by the Sheffield side, fans were calling it a game of 'high intensity'.  This back and forth action continued until Cardiff's number 27, Kenton Smith, was sent to the box for hooking, just after the 12th minute.  Devils' killed off the penalty, continuing the game until Smith's brother, Mark, was put in the box for interference at 19:18.  With the Welsh side short on a D-man, the Steelers' capitalised, with Drew Fata scoring their first at 19:34, on the power play.  He then finished up the period in the penalty box (hooking @19:59).  So, despite the good, even start, Cardiff went into the second trailing by one.

  Having the man advantage, the Devils came out fighting, with resident power forward Max Birbraer embedding Steelers' Shawn Limpright into the ice.  They followed that up with an even strength goal by Brit Ben Davies, timed at just passed the 22 minute-mark.  With the Devils equalising and still looking strong, Sheffield retreated to their half, looking fierce in defence.  Despite this, Cardiff managed a second goal, putting them ahead for the first time, the goal coming from Marsh at 25.24.

  The fans got to see some big hits some both sides in the second half of the period, but the Steelers also managed an equaliser of their own, with Limpright being credited despite the puck going in off a Devils' skate.  Steven Goertzen put them ahead just over two minutes later, bringing the score up to 3-2 Steelers by the end of the period.

  It seemed to be a slower start for the Devils going into the third, with Sheffield camping out in the Devils' defensive zone.  After the slow start, they started to make some progress, getting shots off when possible and knocking NHLer Tom Sestito to build morale.  Number 24, Devin Didiomete, responsible for the hard check on Sestito sat a bench penalty for the travelling team, before coming back onto the ice to assist on the Devils' equalising goal - which was scored by captain, and man of the match, Stuart MacRae.  Cardiff continued to battle hard through the last few minutes but were unable to pull anything out of the bag.  End of regulation: 3-3.

  With neither team grabbing that final point in OT, the game went to penalty shootouts, with every member of the Red Army holding their breath.  It was looking good, with Chris Blight scoring on the first shot, and Limpright not equalising until the third round.  Unfortunately, Steelers Drew Feta came back to score the winner in the fifth, after missing in the second.  Final score 4-3 Steelers, and the Devils head back to Cardiff with just the one point.

  We're back in the league on Sunday, with the Nottingham Panthers travelling to town.  After losing 4-2 in our last meeting, Cardiff will be fighting it out in revenge, giving their all to gain those precious two league points.  Puck drop is at 6pm, so make sure you get down to the Bay and support the guys!  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Belfast Giants (L) 13/10/2012

Devils 3, Giants 6 - Final

  It will be a disappointing flight home for the Devils’ fans that travelled across to Belfast to watch Cardiff take on the Giants at the Odyssey arena.  6-3 was the final score, with the home side coming out on top.

  Devils were quick off the mark, starting the scoring at just 2.22, their first coming from Tyson Marsh, the only assist going to Man of the Match Phil Hill.  Unfortunately, this early lead only gave the Giants the motivated they needed and within 60 seconds of the opening goal, Belfast captain Adam Keefe had equalised.  His team rallied behind him and by the time the clock hit 10 minutes, the Giants were 3-1 up, Champagne and Rycroft scoring respectively. 

  Fouriner added a fourth to Belfast’s tally just after the 16-minute mark.

  After being out muscled throughout the first, it was time for the Welsh side to pick up their game and show their fans a good time.  And boy, did they ever…. Despite the Giants playing a slightly better class of hockey, Cardiff proved they were not down and out, scoring twice in quick succession during the second minute of the second period.  A powerplay goal from Devin Didiomete, followed up by a powerful shot from Phil Hill got the away block roaring. 

  With the deficit cut down to one, Cardiff were energised enough to hold off the Giants, finishing the period just one goal behind the home side.

  If things were looking up, they didn’t last long.  Cardiff definitely stepped it up in the third, playing a better style of hockey, but Belfast were right there with them.  Clarke added the Giants’ fifth goal just  minutes into the period, with Keefe scoring his second of the night just five minutes later.  Devils looked to be in with a chance when Darnell awarded a penalty shot after a trip on breakaway, but, after a slip-up by Davies, Cardiff failed to capitalise and the game finished 6-3.

  With no Sunday game this week, the Devils have penalty of time to rest and recuperate from this devastating loss, and will hopefully be ready to show that they are back on form on Friday (19^th October), when they head to the Motorpoint to face off against the Sheffield Steelers.  Puck drop is at 7.30pm, but if you can’t make it up, you will find live updates at Match Night Live (http://www.the-inferno.co.uk/mnl/).  Let’s Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Coventry Blaze (L) 07/10/2012

  Devils 4, Blaze 3 - OT Final

  

  Off to Coventry on Sunday were the Cardiff Devils and on par for a four point weekend!  After a thrilling 2-1 home win against the Sheffield Steelers, the Welsh side were all set to bring home those all important points.

  The Devils came out fighting, with some good chances early on.  The game was looking to be a physical one, with penalties coming for both teams, and Coventry’s Olson playing forward, hitting every Devil in range.  Cardiff managed to level him with an early first period goal, coming from fan favourite Max Birbraer, who was fresh on the ice after a three game suspension.

  The physical penalties continued and the Blaze starting applying the pressure on the powerplay.  Despite this, goaltender Phil Osaer stayed strong and the period finished with the Devils holding that one goal lead.

  Even with the Blaze carrying the man advantage into the second, after Mac Faulkner was penalised at the end of the first, the Devils came out strongly.  There were some big hits and breakaway chances, before Cardiff finally sealed the deal and added an extra to their lead, again coming from Max Birbraer.

  Unfortunately, the Blaze were not down and out; after former-Devil Sam Smith was sent to the box, Guthrie managed a shorthanded break, and slotted the puck past Osaer.  Second period finished 2-1.

  The third was full of penalties and full of goals.  With penalties coming from both sides, it wasn’t surprising that the goals would follow.  The first side to capitalise was the visitors, giving Cardiff a 3-1 advantage.  Coventry then followed this up with one of their own.

  With the score holding at 3-2, it seemed that Cardiff were going to clinch the points in regulation.  However, in a shock turn of events, Mike Bayrack evened the score with just over a minute remaining in the period. 

  With the Blaze forcing overtime, everyone in the Skydome was on the edge of their seat.  Cardiff seemed to dominate, pushing Hirsch to make several fantastic saves, before finally adding that all-important game winning goal, curtesty of Tyson Marsh. 

  Riding the high, the Devils will be in Belfast next Saturday (puck drop: 7pm) and the Red Army will be crashing into the O!  If you’re not travelling over, be sure to follow along with Match Night Live!  Let’s Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils vs Sheffield Steelers (L) 06/10/2012

Devils 2, Steelers 1 - Final

  Cardiff would have been full of celebrating Red Army fans last night, as the Devils stormed past the Sheffield Steelers in a physically thrilling win.  After several poor shows and disappointing results, Gerad Adams and Neil Francis have been calling for patience from their fans, and that patience has paid off!

  The Devils started brilliantly, with Devin Didiomete coming to life, sporting an early charging penalty.  The penalties continued to come throughout the period, and the rest of the game, before Cardiff finally capitalised on the man advantage.  At 11.02, Phil Hill shot the puck back door and put the Devils ahead whilst Stephenson was in the box for tripping.  The final few minutes past with a couple of penalties, and a brilliant display of goal tendering from the Steelers’ DeCaro.  In the end, the first twenty finished 1-0 Cardiff.

  It was a slow start to the second period, with Sheffield delaying their return to the ice.  However, as soon as the puck drop, it was all guns blazing.  Just two minutes in, Brit Josh Batch earned himself a 2+10 for a check to the head, after flooring former-Devil Tylor Michel.  The physicality continued as both sides were penalised for roughing, and hooking. 

  Just like in the first, Cardiff’s goal in the second came on the powerplay, after Stephenson was sent to the box again, this time coming from Mac Faulkner.  After Faulkner beat DeCaro on his glove side, the Steelers’ tightened up their defense and managed to push up, and slot one past Osaer, putting them on the board just minutes before the end of the second.

  Sheffield were out late again coming in to the third, with Michel missing from the line up.  Both tenders were forced to pull a few saves but neither team were able to add to their total, giving the Devils a rare regulation win. 

  Following last night’s home win, the boys are hoping to carry on their success in Coventry tonight, where they will face Paul Thompson and his Blaze side, which contains former-devil Sam Smith.  If you’re not heading up, make sure to follow the guys’ progress at Match Night Live on The Inferno.  Let’s Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Nottingham Panthers (CC/L) 02/10/2012

Devils 2, Panthers 4 - Final

  It was a disappointing result for the travelling Cardiff Devils’ supporters last night, as the visiting Red Army suffered a devastating 4-2 defeat to Corey Neilson and his Nottingham side.  Although Neilson, as well as several other Panthers, did not ice – due to injury- the Panthers looked incredibly strong throughout the game.  Whether it was due to the return of Gui Lepine or the fact that Anthony Stewart, NHL forward, made his home debut for the club, they demonstrated why they were crowded the Playoff champions last year.

  Nottingham got things off to a quick start, with Ling scoring his first of three, showing off why he was awarded the Man of the Match award, just six minutes in.  A couple of penalties for both sides followed, although neither was able to capitalise on the advantage.  There seemed to be a lack of the physically behind the Welsh side, maybe due to the fact that hard hitter Max Birbraer is still out on suspension.  The period finished by for Ling’s second goal, putting Nottingham two goals ahead going into the second.

  At the beginning of the second, it seemed that Cardiff were turning the tables, with hot shot Mac Faulkner scoring in the 22^nd minute to bring his team back into the game.  A bit of action followed as goal-scorers Faulkner and Ling partook in some handbags, but nothing really came of it.  But it seemed that the Panthers weren’t going to let anything disrupt their night.

  Just four minutes after the Devils’ first goal, Francis added to the Panthers’ total, giving them a 2-goal lead over Cardiff.  They continued to dominate but, despite several powerplay opportunities for both teams, the score stayed at 3-1 going into the final twenty.

  The third was definitely one for the threes; just three minutes in, Ling scored his third goal, giving Nottingham even more breathing space with a three-goal lead.  The Devils managed to close the gap to two, after Phil Hill slotted one passed Kowalski, but could not get level or push ahead.  With an fantastic display of defending from tender Osaer and brother Mark and Kenton Smith, the Devils’ managed to scrape through without any other goals.  Final score in the NIC: 4-2 Panthers.

  Despite the loss last night, the Red Army are shaking it off, and looking forward to the weekend, when we take on the Sheffield Steelers at the BBT (Puck-drop: 7:07pm).  Get down to the bay and cheer on our boys!  Let’s Go Devils!