Cardiff Devils vs Coventry Blaze (L) 25/10/2014, Cardiff Devils @ Coventry Blaze (CC) 26/10/2014

Devils 6, Blaze 3 - Final (Saturday)

Devils 4, Blaze 0 - Final (Sunday)

Hello guys and girls!  

What a fantastic four-point weekend!  Facing the Coventry Blaze both home and away, our Cardiff Devils managed to bring home points in the League and the Challenge Cup, securing second place in the Challenge Cup group.

Saturday night not only saw an amazing comeback from 3-1 down to a 6-3 win for the Devils, but the news that NHLer, and former Devil, Paul Bissonnette would be rejoining our already talented squad.  Earning himself 21 points in only 11 games for the Welsh side, it is safe to say we were all extremely exciting to hear of his return.

But Andrew Lord and his team demonstrated that if Biz were to return to our ranks, which unfortunately is not the case anymore (http://www.cardiffdevils.com/news/devils-news/bissonnette-deal-is-off/), he would only be a bonus to the skills already being showcased every night in the BBT.

Things started a bang for the Devils as both Trevor Hendrikx and Matt Myers redecorated the boards with Blaze-shaped holes!  The rough and tumble affair could only get better as Brent Walton went short side, top shelf with only three minutes on the clock! 

Unfortunately, despite the quick start, the Devils could not hold on to the intensity for the rest of the first – and found themselves 3-1 down going into the break, after the Blaze saw goals from Ben Arnt, Steven Goertzen and Ryan O’Marra respectively.

But hope was not lost, as forty-four seconds into the second period Andrew Hotham added his first tally of the night, as he came tumbling out of the penalty box, thanks to a delay of game minor at the end of the first.

Joey Martin also added to the scoreboard with the Devils’ fourth shorthanded goal of the season so far, sending the puck between the legs of Stewart – who was definitely getting a warm welcome from blocks two and three!!  I mean, even I could hear the taunting and I was a computer screen away from the action!

The Blaze found their selves with the man advantage again as they opened the third period, tied with the home side at three apiece.  Unfortunately for the visiting team, the Devils are on fire on the penalty kill this season and Andrew Hotham was able slot in a rebound to add his second of the night, and the Devils’ second straight short handed goal – putting their shorthanded tally up to five for the season. 

With Andrew Lord leading from the front on how to deal with the pesky Blaze (and seeming to enjoy putting them through the boards whenever possible!), alternate captain Jake Morrisette was busy adding his seventh goal of the season, tipping the puck passed a very agitated Stewart with just short of twelve minutes left in the game.

To round off the scoring Chris Jones showed off the skills learnt in the Devils’ development programme and picked some Blaze pockets before getting the puck to Joey Haddad.  As with the luck of the Welsh on Saturday night, Joey could not miss and the Devils’ finished out the game with a 6-3 score and retained those all-important League points!

Sunday saw the Devils and the Red Army travelling up to the SkyDome for some Challenge Cup action.  With the Blaze only holding one win in six Challenge Cup games, they were desperate to finish the competition on a high note.

Now we all know that very few rinks can rise to the challenge when it comes to the noise inside the BBT but from what I saw of the webcast on Sunday (which wasn’t a lot as most who tried to watch the game will understand!), the most noise on Sunday was coming from the away block – and for good reason!

Despite being on Blaze turf, crowd favourite Ben Bowns earned himself his first shutout of the year, after the Devils’ cruised to a 4-0 victory over a depleted Coventry side.  After a good start to the season, you have to wonder what has happened to Marc LeFebvre’s side.

The only Devil missing from both weekend games was Carl Hudson, after he suffered a hand injury against Sheffield last Saturday – which, it was announced over the webcast on Sunday, could leave him out for up to 6 weeks.  Bench Coach Neil Francis was suspended for Saturday’s game, while Trevor Hendrikx did not ice on Sunday for reasons unknown.

With only 14 PIMs between the two teams over the entire 60 minutes, the stats almost show a boring game compared to Devils/Blaze match ups in the past.  In fact there were no penalties in the third period at all!

While penalties were lacking – which could be considered an improvement on the silly penalties the Devils’ were taking just a couple of weeks ago – the Welsh side still managed to earn themselves a powerplay goal.  With the tally standing at 23 PP goals so far this season, that means nearly half of all goals scored, in all competitions, this year are on the man advantage.

Definitely an improvement on previous years, eh?

But that comes later.  Almost like déjà vu, Brent Walton opened the scoring just before the first period close – a goal that nearly all viewers at home missed due to webcast technical problems.  As I was one of these unfortunate many, I have been promised it was a very pretty goal, with the feed coming from Josh Batch before Walton found the narrowest channel possible!

The second period saw both Joey Martin and Doug Clarkson increasing the deficit, with Clarkson adding that PP goal.

To round off the game, Andrew Hotham added the fourth just two minutes into the third period – another goal that most of us missed, and didn’t learn about until about 5 minutes from the end of the game!  Safe to say I was glad to get my money back after that technical debacle!

After a thrilling weekend, it’s time to look ahead to next week.  Unfortunately the Devils have only got the one game – a visit from the Nottingham Panthers on Sunday.  It would have been nice to have been welcoming Biz back to the Tent, but never mind!

Make sure you get yourself down to the BBT!!  I’ll be cheering from across the Atlantic, as I venture over the pond to watch my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins this coming weekend – so let’s fill the Tent so I can show the Yanks what a hockey night should really look like!

Let’s Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Sheffield Steelers (L) 18/10/2014, Cardiff Devils vs Sheffield Steelers (L) 19/10/2014

Devils 3, Steelers 5 - Final (Saturday)

Devils 5, Steelers 2 - Final (Sunday)

It was a home and home against the Sheffield Steelers this weekend and it was definitely not a boring one!  While most Devils’ fans (and players and coaches) find themselves severely frustrated after the events of Saturday’s 5-2 loss in the Tin town, revenge was served as the Devils’ returned the favour in a thrilling 5-3 Welsh win on Sunday.

Fires were lit early on Saturday after Cardiff awoke to former Devils’ coach Gerad Adams promising to take advantage of our ‘many weaknesses’ – although he was being quoted in The Star, so give it a read yourself at the link below to decide how you think the comment was meant to be taken!

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/sheffield-steelers-coach-calls-for-better-defence-against-cardiff-devils-1-6899827

Both sides were definitely out for blood, with Andrew Hotham and Cullen Eddy getting their fists dirty just after the half way point of the first period – both getting in some good hits before Hotham finally took Eddy to the ice.

The frustration continued to build for the visiting team as the Steelers scored two goals in two minutes, both featuring the efforts of top British D-man Ben O’Connor who was lacing up in his debut for Sheffield after signing a short term contract to fill the gap left by injuries to Robert Dowd and Pascal Morency.

Over the course of the weekend, O’Connor had 3 assists and 2 PIMS – demonstrating that the Steelers would be very lucky to extend his contract past these next couple of weeks. 

Colton Fretter also had a good game on Saturday, playing a role in both of the first period goals for the Steelers.

Despite the home side dominating the first period, the Devils’ came out swinging after the intermission break!  After Joey Haddad was sent to the box just four minutes into the period, it looked as if the Devils’ scored in spite of the man disadvantage but ref Mike Hicks waved it off.  Apparently Trevor Hendrikx had taken up residence in the crease – it is hard to tell from the highlights but it was, as usual, a questionable decision.

(Highlights can be found here, courtesy of SteelersTV: http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/highlights-live-steelers-5-3-cardiff-devils-saturday--p194276)

But our boys fought their way back to a level field after two wonderful goals from Haddad, just as he was coming out of the box, and Joey Martin about six minutes later.

Tempers reached boiling point as the game travelled into the third and final period; with the game all squared up both teams were desperate to get that all important goal and take the lead.  It truly looked like the game could go either way.

Unfortunately Sheffield took the lead early on and some harsh 5-on-3 penalties definitely took the momentum out of the Devils.  In fact, the away side managed to accumulate 64 PIMs in the final period of play, including a tango between Dougie Clarkson and Dustin Kohn, before frustrations boiled over at the final whistle.

There was a certain amount of confusion during the final minutes of the game – with the Devils’ 4-3 down, they were desperate to get that tying goal!  After a large amount of pushing and shoving in front of Doyle’s net (and some extremely blatant missed calls in my opinion), the puck was turned and Mathieu Roy went charging off towards the Devils’ empty net – only to be tripped and awarded an unassisted goal for his efforts.

While Bench Coach Neil Francis was upset (understatement!!) about the call, many on both sides of the ice are being completely understanding about the decision… It’s the events the followed the final whistle that are cause for concern.

After reviewing the video highlights extensively (it was extremely painful listening to David Simms commentary over and over! Pretty sure I was one replay away from my ears bleeding!), I believe we were hard done by in the DOPS’s decision to uphold Trevor Hendrikx one game ban after he received a Match Penalty for a supposed ‘sucker punch’ – Simms’ words, not mine – on Tyler Mosienko.

(The most recent update from the Department of Player Safety on the incident involving Trevor Hendrikx can be found here: http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/dops-info-trevor-hendrikx-p194246)

Jesse Mychan also earned himself a Game Penalty after being undressed by Cullen Eddy as the players all scrambled to be in on the action as the whistle blew, the final score 5-2 to the home side. 

Going into Sunday, the Devils, both on the ice and off, were raring for revenge and the boys did not hold back in their effort to get it!

After a quick initial review, it was stated that Trevor Hendrikx would miss the game as the DOPS upheld the automatic one match suspension that comes with a Match Penalty, with the promise to further review the incident.  The Devils were also missing Carl Hudson from Sunday’s line-up after he picked up an undisclosed injury.

Cardiff born Matthew Myers did, however, return to the line up after serving his two game suspension.

It was certainly a different story in the second match up in as many games for these two sides.  While Sheffield held the upper hand for the majority of the first period on Saturday night, Cardiff came out fighting on Sunday – scoring two goals within the first ten minutes! 

As well as being downtrodden on the scoreboard, the Steelers were also facing a physical beating as the Devils continued to punch Sheffield-shaped holes in the board as they passed.  Both Doug Clarkson and Jesse Mychan received roughing penalties in the opening period but that was only the beginning of the bruises for the Northern side.

The deficit only increased for the Steelers going into the second period, as Mark Richardson added a wonderful power play goal to the tally, helping himself to the Man of the Match as he went.

Seemingly more awake, the Steelers made an attempt at a come back in the third period, with troublemaker Tyler Mosienko scoring four minutes in to the period.

No (attempted) Sheffield come back would be complete without a bit of rough and tumble, or down right dirty play.  Forney found himself inside the penalty box at 46:43 with a 2+10 for check from behind – although it looked like he wrapped his stick around a Devils’ neck and yanked from where I was sat!

With the Steelers’ plight quelled, Brent Walton added his second of the night just after the halfway point of the period to restore the three-goal lead.  Jason Hewitt, the guy we all love to hate, managed to pull one back a minute or so later but the Devils were not letting this one go… Alternate captain Jake Morrisette helped himself to a shorthanded, empty net goal to cement the win and secure those all-important two league points.

After such an exciting weekend, its hard to wait until Saturday for more Devils’ hockey, but that’s when the Coventry Blaze come to town, looking to take two league points home before Cardiff travel up to the Skydome to play it out for crucial Challenge Cup points in their penultimate CC game!

If you can’t make it down to the BBT to cheer on the boys, make sure you’re there in spirit while you watch the game on the newly priced Devils’ webcast!

See you soon, Devils’ fans!

Cardiff Devils vs Hull Stingrays (CC) 11/10/2014, Cardiff Devils @ Coventry Blaze (L) 12/10/2014

Devils 7, Stingrays 2 - Final

Devils 3, Blaze 1 - Final

This past weekend saw another fantastic effort from our Cardiff Devils as they defeated Hull to win two Challenge Cup points in the Bay on Saturday – the first game of the season for the new owners no less – before travelling up to the Skydome to bring home two league points on Sunday. 

There were certainly a lot of happy people surrounding the Devils’ organisation on Saturday night!  With an amazing 7-2 win against the Stingrays, who are looking more impressive in their campaign this year, the BBT was unusually red this past Saturday as the new owners made their debut in the rink, which was nearing capacity as a 2000+ crowd cheered a full Devils’ bench to victory. 

With seven goals from six different players, the Welsh side definitely put in a team effort to pull off such a great result.  Seeming to be the norm at the moment, both Haddad and Martin treated us to powerplay goals (at 19:10 and 44:47 respectively), but it’s Brent Walton’s goal (at 25:54) that has everyone raring!

An outstanding finish, Walton enters the zone and dekes the defenseman before putting the puck behind David Brown on the backhand – demonstrating the talent we’ve all been waiting to see since preseason!

While most of Saturday night was spent cheering – and dancing around the lockers at work whenever I got the chance to check the score! – Matthew Myers provided a little disappointment for Devils’ fans as he was awarded a 5+Game for a check from behind on Eric Galbraith – a hit that earned him a two game suspension from the Department of Player Safety (the update can be found here: http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/two-match-ban-for-myers-p194100) and a seat on the bench for Sunday’s game against Coventry and the first game of next week’s double header against Sheffield.

Despite losing Myers for the second half of the game, momentum was not lost, especially with firecracker Jesse Mychan back in the line up for the first time since the 14^th September after suffering a hand injury.

The Devils’ no. 80 was definitely back and ready to shake up some feathers, making sure the Rays knew he would lay down and let them hassle his teammates.  Jesse also provided the first of the four third period goals that helped cement the win!

But it was Doug Clarkson who shined brightest, with two goals and a permanent presence whenever he was on the ice.  He’s a hard guy to miss but I’m pretty sure the Hull players were definitely feeling the Doug shaped bruises all the way north!

After experiencing such a thrill on Saturday night, the Red Army were ready and raring as they made the tedious journey to Coventry on Sunday for a 5:15 FO against the Blaze. 

With an impressive start to the season under their belt, many expected the Blaze to come out fighting, especially after losing out to Sheffield in their Challenge Cup match up the night before!  Unfortunately for the home fans, the blue fire seemed to be out on Sunday as the Devils came away with a 3-1 and those crucial league points!

Matthew Myers was the only Devil missing from the ice on Sunday, after he received a two-match suspension for a check from behind on Eric Galbraith the previous night.  On the other side of the ice, the Blaze were missing Mike Egener due to an undisclosed injury, but it seems like most of the Blaze failed to show up for the game….

The opening five minutes looked promising for both sides; Cescon and Hotham acquainted themselves early on, both earning themselves five minutes (and an extra two for roughing for Cescon), but things went downhill for the home side.

In fact, the Blaze were lucky not to be down by two before the end of the first.  In the opening minute or so, the Devils managed to shoot one past Brian Stewart, who was recently awarded the Blaze’s Fall Player award for the month of September (a title he earned on Sunday, as the score could have been a lot worse if it had not been for him), only to have it call off by Hicks after it was decided the net was off.

While this kind of controversy seems to follow our beloved (yuck!) Hicks around, there are several reports (from Devils’ fans as well) to support the call. 

Devils were also given the chance to double their lead at the halfway point in the second with a penalty shot, after Blaze captain Ashley Tait held Joey Martin on a breakaway – unfortunately for Devils’ fans, Stewart was up to the challenge and the shot was saved.

Coventry were certainly lucky not to be down by four going into the third period and their desperation finally won out as they brought the game back within one just 32 seconds into the third period – Steven Goertzen getting the home side on the board for the first time.

However, the small amount of renewed energy from the goal would not be enough to force the Devils back and Player/Coach Andrew Lord added one last solo effort just minutes after the single Blaze goal to cement the away win and bring those crucial league points back to the Bay.

So after a brilliant four-point weekend, the Devils are now looking ahead to the looming home and away double-header against Gerad Adam’s Sheffield Steelers.  This one’s for all the marbles – or at least four elite league marbles!  Make sure you get yourself down to the BBT on Sunday to cheer the team on!

Even I’m making it to this one, so be there or be square! See you there, Devils’ fans!!

Cardiff Devils @ Belfast Giants 03/10/2014 (L), Cardiff Devils @ Belfast Giants 04/10/2014 (L)

Devils 2, Giants 3 - Final (Friday 3rd)

Devils 2, Giants 5 - Final (Saturday 4th)

Off to the land of Guinness travelled the Red Army this weekend, as our Cardiff Devils battled the Belfast Giants.  Coming off a fantastic four point weekend in the Challenge Cup, the Devils were desperate to make the same impression in their league campaign.

With Jaeger bombs flowing and balloons flying, the Red Army were in high spirits (and not just from the amount of alcohol consumed on the flight over!), only slightly disheartened by the narrow 3-2 loss on Friday night.  Despite a hard fought game, silly penalties cost the Welsh side resulting in a last minute goal to give the home side the win.

Saturday night saw a fan base raring for revenge, only to be disappointed, as the Devils were defeated 5-2 after two third period shorthanded goals.

Let’s just say: it was definitely a weekend of two halves.

Friday’s game was plagued with silly penalties and tired penalty killers; despite each and every man in red playing his heart out, ill discipline meant nil-point – a result that even the Giants’ fans were surprised by!

While we can normally find fault in the EIHL officials (and trust me, there were still faults this weekend), both sides have agreed (for the most part!) that all calls made on Friday night were fair.

It has, however, been made known that there were some awful non-calls for both sides.

When we did get the upper hand we were, as usual this season, looking very dangerous (straight from the Giant’s mouth!) and have been described as a joy to watch… how many opposing fans would actually admit to that if it wasn’t true eh?

With fantastic goaltending between the pipes, with Bowns having another sensational game, and a ‘superb’ forecheck, we really were cheated out of those all important points, by our own silliness!

Saturday night told a completely different story.  With 15 powerplay goals already this season (in all competitions including Friday’s game), it’s a little surprising that the boys weren’t able to slot home more than one goal on the ten powerplay chances Dean Smith and Liam Sewell awarded during the Giants’ 5-2 win. 

Fans from both sides of the crease have commented on the lack of physical intensity demonstrated by the Devils on Saturday night, whether the Trevor Hendrikx hole in the line up had anything to do with this is unclear. 

Unfortunately the talented D-man missed most of the action this weekend due to a terrible case of the flu – we can all empathise with that eh?

So with sore heads and voices galore, the Red Army bus was a slightly (only slightly though!) quieter place to be as the Devils made the long trip home.  Hopefully the guys will put this weekend behind us and build on the entertaining start to the season, continuing to play the style of hockey we all love to see.

We (the figurative we, as I will be stuck behind a bar at work L) welcome the Hull Stingrays to the BBT on Saturday night (FO 7pm) for a Challenge Cup match up… before heading up to the Coventry, ew, for a 6pm FO.

Make sure you are in the Bay this weekend, as the new owners Steve King and Co. take in their first game – Let’s show them how we put on a show!