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!
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!
