Cardiff Devils vs Nottingham Panthers (L) 08/12/2012

Devils 2, Panthers 3 - SO Final

  After a thrilling double over Sheffield last weekend, which also ended in a shootout, the Red Army were up and raring to go - the Panthers in from the North this week.  Cardiff were missing a few key players on Saturday night, Birbraer to injury, Bissonnette to illness and Harding to international duty so it was definitely going to be an interesting match.

  It was a slow game to start, with various penalties for both sides in the opening twenty.  Both sides saw some chances in the first but neither were able to capitalise, taking the 0-0 deadlock through to the second period - where Cardiff Captain Stuart MacRae scored a shorthanded goal, just eleven seconds in (after Devin Didiomete was sent to the box for cross-checking at 1845 in the first, which automatically ran over into the second when the buzzer rang).

  With the home side in the lead, spirits were high...but the Panthers weren't going to let that stand.  Just two minutes later, Gulivan added Nottingham's first, levelling the score at one a piece.  The fans then saw a few more penalties, including a delay of game from Kenton Smith - allowing fellow teammate Mac Faulkner to add a shorthanded goal of his own to once again give the Welsh side the lead.

  Things were looking steady, but Gui Lepine managed to add a controversial equaliser in the last minute.

  Despite Didiomete scoring a third Devils' goal in the final twenty, the score remained at 2-2 until the end of regulation, after referee Mike Hicks ruled no goal and the game was forced to go to overtime.  The extra five minutes saw a solid effort from both sides, and some near misses but that final goal was just out of reach.

  Cardiff started the shootout well, with a goal from Blight.  Nottingham answered quickly - Francis scoring two to gain his team the extra point.

  Just the one game for Cardiff this weekend but we have a hockey filled weekend ahead, with the Devils playing three games in three days....Starting with a visit to the O, where they will take on the Belfast Giants.  After Nottingham's success this weekend, Belfast were knocked off the top of the table and will be desperate for the win to set that right.  If you're not heading over to Ireland, don't forget to follow along at Match Night Live for all your game updates!  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils vs Sheffield Steelers Double-Header 01/12/2012-02/12/2012 (L/CC)

Saturday 1st December - MotorPoint Arena (L)
   
     Devils 3, Steelers 2 - Final

Sunday 2nd December - Cardiff Bay Arena (CC)

    Devils 7, Steelers 6 - SO Final


  Saturday night saw a travelling Red Army, as the Devils headed up to Sheffield for the first of a two part double header.  With new-old-signing Mark Richardson back in a Devils' jersey and fan favourite Max 'Boom Boom' Birbraer back from suspension, it was sure to be a great match.

  The Devils started off slowly, going behind just six minutes in  - Ashley Tait the scorer for the home side.  The Steelers continued on and added a second a few minutes later, Drew Fata scoring on the power play after Devils' no. 24 Devin Didiomete was sent to the box for tripping.  Jason Hewitt also took a trip to the box for hooking at 1040, but Cardiff didn't get on the board until 1825, when Birbraer announced his return in style.

  As normal, the second showed a slower side to the team, and two penalties - the captain for slashing and the bench for too many men.  Despite gaining the advantage twice, the Steelers failed to capitalise and the score remained at 2-1 going into the third.

  It was all about the visitors in the third, with Cardiff scoring twice to take the lead, and eventually the game.  Despite the probable agitation he felt for a 'Simmsey slip-up' on his name,  MAC Faulkner scored two gaols in ten minutest to earn himself MOM and the Devils' those all important league points.

  With a jubilant attitude which can only come from a fantastic win the night before, the Devils' welcomed the Steelers in the BBT on Sunday for a challenge cup match up - despite being unable to progress no matter what the final score.

  For the fans that made the trip up on Saturday they would have experienced a bit of deja vu, with the Steelers taking the lead six minutes in.  With Birbaer out with an ankle injury, despite only returning from suspension the day before, the Devils were looking a bit slow.  But after Sheffield's Thomas was sent to the box for holding, Ben Davies levelled the score on the power play with seven minutes left to play in the first.

  Despite being held off to just the one goal in the first, Sheffield came out fighting, scoring a short handed goal two minutes in - whilst Tait sat in the box for tripping on behalf of Decaro.  With the score at 2-1 in favour of the Steelers, and the outcome of little consequence to the Devils, Osaer was replaced with Joe Myers, who received a large cheer as he stepped into the net.

  Ref Dean Smith saw some abuse and saw fit to throw Stephenson a ten minute misconduct at 2825, giving captain Stuart MacRae the chance to level the tally on the power play.  Fata regained the lead for the visitors but again Macrae pulled it back before Tyson Marsh gave the Devils their first lead of the game just before the buzzer rang, the home side taking a 4-3 lead into the final period.

  Phil Hill continued the momentum for Cardiff, extending their lead to two, before Hewitt brought on back for the English side.  With just seven minutes left in the period, Limpright and Shields scored two in quick succession to retake the lead.  But with a lucky turn of events MacRae added his hat tick goal in the final minus to force a very tense overtime - in which neither team managed to score the winner.

  So off to penalties it was and a nervous Red Army were watching with baited breath.  After several misses and a goal each for MacRae and Shields, it was up to Blight and he didn't disappoint.

 7-6 SO the final score and a pair of wins over the Steelers for Cardiff.  Let's Go Devils