Cardiff Devils vs Nottingham Panthers (L) 27/01/2013

Devils 2, Panthers 4 - Final

  It was a devastating end to the weekend for the Cardiff Devils, as they suffered a 4-2 defeat to the Nottingham Panthers - despite playing their hearts out.  Though the scoreline says otherwise, Cardiff did not deserve to lose against the league leaders; they gave 110% and all Devils' fans will be proud of what went down in the BBT.  But this is a clear display of how it isn't over until the whistle blows...

  Fans from both Cardiff and Nottingham saw an uneventful first period; no goals, no penalties.  Both teams had several chances and the net minders, Craig Kowalski and, on his home debut, Chris Whitley, definitely deserve some huge recognition for the stops pulled out.  The crowd saw some physical play to keep them interested but the goals just wouldn't come.

  Off into the second and Nottingham were pressing for the advantage.  They finally broke the deadlock in the third minute, Bruce Graham earning his 25th goal of the season to put the Panthers ahead.  Neither side could increase, or add to the goals throughout the second, so the visiting team carried a 1-0 lead into the third.

  All penalties from the second were minors - a combination of 6 for Nottingham and 2 for Cardiff but the penalty killing units were up to scratch and nothing was getting through.

  Now the third, where to start...?  A combined tally of five goals between the two sides, with the final two coming in the final minute and a half.  The Panthers' started it off, Pat Galivan doubling the Northern side's lead.  This lead was reduced, however, when Faulkner added his third goal of the weekend to finally get the home side on the board, with Captain Stuart MacRae following behind just minutes later to level the game.

  Everything was starting to look up for Cardiff; the game was levelled and if things continued they could force overtime.  Unfortunately, Nottingham were not down and out.  After taking a bad hit from Beckett, Max Birbraer had to be escorted from the ice, leaving a trail of blood behind him.  With a key penalty killer out for treatment, the Devils' were unlucky to draw two penalties (Marsh for boarding and Richardson for hooking) in the final minutes of the game.  Down to four, then three, skaters, it wasn't too difficult for David Ling - a player who the Devils' defence have always had a problem containing - to slot the puck behind Chris Whitley.  Nottingham rounded it off with a power play empty-netter from Lachowicz to give the final score of 4-2 Panthers.

  So despite the amazing play from the Devils, everything fell apart in the final minutes.  Meanwhile, they will be shaking the disappointment off and getting ready to face the Coventry Blaze on Thursday, down at the BBT for a 7.30pm face off... make sure you're there to support the guys!  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Sheffield Steelers (L) 26/01/2013

Devils 4, Steelers 5 - Final

  Braving the cold weather and dangerous roads, the Cardiff Devils made their way up to the MotorPoint Arena in Sheffield to take on the Steelers.  Despite a valiant effort in goal against Edinburgh last week, Joe Myers was relieved as starting net minder, with Chris Whitley making his debut for the Welsh side - and after facing a total of 29 shots, the guy did extremely well.

  In fact, the Devils played well as a whole; despite the narrow loss, Cardiff put up 35 shots against Decaro, forcing him to stand on his head to keep his team in the game.  Our boys in red came back three times, never lying down.  It was Sheffield that took the earlier lead in the game, Ferguson scoring at 11.00 exactly to give the home side the advantage.  Cardiff MOM Mac Faulkner levelled the game at  around the 15 minute mark but Drew Fata regained the lead just before the end of the first period.

  Luke Piggot also received a 2+10 for checking from behind, whilst Faulkner served a delay of game and Esders served a too many men - because of this, Faulkner's goal was a shorthanded effort, one of five out of 42 goals this season, and Fata's a power play goal.

  Cardiff were not done; just a minute or so into the second, Josh Batch (who has been playing out of position, on the top line, since at least December) levelled the score for the visiting side.  The score remained the same for the following ten minutes, though both sides saw several power play opportunities, before Ashley Tait and Drew Fata added Sheffield's third and fourth goals - effectively breaking the spirit of the Cardiff players.

  Despite a dip in morale, the boys weren't going to let their travelling fans down.  They fought hard throughout the third, outshooting the Steelers 12 to 7 but nothing was going in... That is until the thirteenth minute, when GB International Phil Hill added the Devils' third, making it a one goal game.  They continued to shoot puck after puck at the net, but things were looking bad when former-Devil Tyler Michel added Sheffield's fifth and final goal, a shorthanded empty-netter (Jeff Legue in the box for high-sticking) with just a minute and a half remaining.

  With an incredible spike of determination, Mac Faulkner added the Devils' fourth goal at 19.46 - a power play goal as Goertzen was sitting a holding penalty - but Cardiff were not able to get that tying goal in the final 15 seconds.  A disappointing loss, but the guys played incredibly well and a proud Red Army cheered them home.

  Desperate for some points, the Devils headed home to face the Nottingham Panthers - Elite League leaders at this time - in what is sure to be a great match up. Let's Go Devils!