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!