Cardiff Devils @ Braehead Clan (L) 29/11/2014, Cardiff Devils @ Dundee Stars (L) 30/11/2014

Devils 3, Clan 7 - Final

Devils 3, Stars 1 - Final

Hi guys and girls!

What a topsy turby weekend, eh?  Our lads were off above the border this weekend past, facing off against the Braehead Clan and Dundee Stars with a large Red Army presence singing loudly behind them!

Not only have we seen fabulous Facebook pictures but we also had a fabulous scoreline against Dundee on Sunday, both of which almost managing to clear up the stink from an unfortunate loss on Saturday in Glasgow. 

After an amazing eighteen-goal weekend last weekend, we were all (or at least I was) shocked to see our boys go down seven goals to three against Ryan Finnerty and his Braehead Clan. 

Stefan Meyer, Derek Roehl and Neil Trimm started off the scoring for the Scottish side in the first period, with both Meyer and Trimm scoring on the man advantage.  They also rallied to add two more as the second period ticked on, before the Devils got themselves into gear.

With Meyer scoring his second at 27:42 and Scott Pitt added his first of the night five minutes later, a fire was lit beneath the visiting side, with captain Tyson Marsh opening the Welsh scoring at 35:33, assisted by Brent Walton and Mark Richarson.  Richie followed this up with a goal of his own a few minutes later to keep the deficit at three going into the third.

The Braehead scoring continued in the opening minute of the final twenty, as Derek Roehl added his second of the night, increasing their lead to four goals, just thirty five seconds after the start of the period.

Andrew Hotham continued to give the travelling Red Army hope of a comeback, as he fired one home to decrease the deficit once again with just over ten minutes left in the game, but Scott Pitt put any chance of a Welsh win to bed with his second goal just 15 seconds later.

With sore heads and heavy hearts, the Red Army toddled on to Dundee, where those of us that were left at home were treated to a free webcast!  I was certainly excited at this prospect and have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the webcast; the commentators were top-notch and I can’t wait to see more later on in the season.

Like in Braehead the night before, the Stars organisation allowed the singing of the Welsh national anthem; in both rinks, this was certainly a gesture that did not go unappreciated. 

The boys were certainly fired up for their final game of the weekend and, despite missing player/coach Andrew Lord and (I think) Trevor Hendrikx, the Cardiff Devils were taking no prisoners.  Also missing from the ice for the home side were Chris Blight and John Mitchell.

Joey Martin kicked off the scoring for our boys in red, with just over ten minutes played.  Despite good forechecking on both sides, the score remained at 1-0 going into the second period, where Igor Gongalsky added an equaliser for the home side whilst on the powerplay at 21:50.

It was all tied up at one a piece going into the final period and it was clear that the next goal was crucial.  And that goal came with ten minutes left, a beautiful coast-to-coast bruiser scored by our very own Joey Haddad!

With momentum in our favour, it wasn’t surprising to see the amount of Devils’ shots increase.  Stars’ netminder Marc Cheverie certainly deserved his Man of the Match award! 

Finally, alternate captain Jake Morrisette added that all important goal to seal the Devils’ win with just over two minutes remaining – giving the Red Army something else to sing about on the way back down to Wales!

Bringing home 2 points this weekend, the Devils now look forward to the coming challenge – a two-game home stand against Adam Keefe and his Belfast Giants.  It’s sure to be a hell of a weekend, and will unfortunately be my last weekend before Christmas!  It will certainly be a hell of way to (temporarily) sign off!

So get your jerseys dusted off and get down to the Bay, because our guys are going to need everyone pulling for them!

Let’s Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils vs. Braehead Clan (L) 20/09/2014, Cardiff Devils @ Edinburgh Capitals (L) 21/09/2014

Devils 5, Clan 4 - OT Final

Devils 2, Capitals 3 - SO Final

It was specials goals galore this weekend as our Cardiff Devils faced off against two Celtic foes. 

Saturday night saw the return of several former Devils, including Ben Davies and Joe Myers (eek!!) to the BBT as Ryan Finnerty brought his Braehead Clan to town. 

Sunday saw a long trip across two borders to Murrayfield, where the Devils’ overcame the fatigue of the overtime win the night before to fight back from two goals behind, only to fall in the shootout 3-2. 

While bus legs were definitely a problem in the first period, the guys played a brilliant last 45 minutes of hockey.  They definitely had my heart in my mouth for the entire time, to say the least!

With over 100 PIMs (in total) across the two games this weekend, you’d expect there to be a few special goals… our boys took that one to the extreme!  With the exception of Joey Haddad’s beautiful overtime goal on Saturday, every single Devils’ goal was either on the powerplay or while at a disadvantage (I think I woke my little sister, I was yelling so much when Coach levelled the score with that shorthanded goal on Sunday night!).

Seems like whatever Franny and Lord are preaching to those units is definitely working this year!

This year’s team has been built with some incredibly well rounded players, who are able to switch between offence and defence as easily as they change socks, all while laying hits and taking (or giving!) punches when necessary!  This weekend we saw Dougie Clarkson at his best, until Chris Frank interfered.  We all know what No. 22 is capable of and it can (very rarely!) be useful – unless you are the opposition. 

After a dirty hit behind the away team’s net, Dougie handed Frank his behind in a fight that the Braehead defenseman failed to show up for!  Three hits from 93 put Frank down, but Dougie out; he did not return for the rest of the game and failed to ice at all on Sunday.

I think we are all waiting with baited breath for news on the big guy!

On the other hand, Hudson was also involved in some rough and tumble this week, although the poor guy was suckered into it.  After Zach Fitzgerald took offence to Hudson’s open ice hit on the Braehead captain Matt Keith (something ref James Aston also took offence to, giving Hudson a 5+match for checking to the head), the Scottish #13 sucker punched Carl, completely taking the defenseman by surprise – an extremely unfair fight by all accounts.

Fitzgerald was awarded 2 minutes for instigating plus 10minute misconduct and 5 minutes for fighting plus a game misconduct.

I, for one, was quite surprised when the Department of Player Safety decided to side with us, instead of going against us like usual, and removed any record of the incident from Carl’s record – allowing him back on the ice for Sunday’s match up against Edinburgh.

Sunday night definitely proved to be a less high-strung game against an improved Edinburgh side.  I’m not going to lie, the past couple of years, it has been almost painful watching the Scottish side but I have a feeling this year could be different.

They definitely proved they are a side to be reckoned with on Sunday!

Having missed the opening fifteen – technical fault! What can you do, eh? – I came into the game to see the Devils’ 1-0 down; I wasn’t too worried, everyone lets in a fluke every now and then. 

But after seeing Player/Coach Richard Hartmann’s goal to put the Capitals two goals up going into the second, I was actually nibbling the nails in apprehension!  Whatever the coaching pair said to the lads during the intermission seemed to take effect immediately – in my opinion, we were just plain unlucky not to get the winner after the guys levelled it up!

Throughout the entire last forty, the Welsh side pushed at Tomas Hiadlovsky but both net-minders were putting on one hell of a show – During the second period, the deficit could have been a lot worse, with Bowns pulling out some incredible point blank saves on the Capitals’ forwards.

And of course, we cannot forget Riley Emmerson…. Having just had his 10 game suspension reduced to 3 earlier in the week, and icing for his first game after serving his three game suspension, Emmerson spent most the game running his mouth at anyone who passed him – even ref Matt Thompson!

Emmerson also managed to get himself a 2+10 for checking to the head in the third period, ensuring that he took no part in the overtime period or penalty shootout, after squashing poor CJ between a rock and a hard place when his head was down.  No 26 continued to voice his opinions on his sentence from the penalty box whenever Thompson got too close!

 In the end, both sides deserved the overtime point but only one team could walk away with that precious extra tally. 

A three point weekend is not something to be snuffed at and I for one am definitely looking forward to next weekend’s fixtures, as the Challenge Cup race heats up with a trip to Sheffield, the Steelers’ first game in the Motorpoint after clearing up their icy problems, before the Panthers come to town on Sunday!  The lads will definitely be looking to take four points in the coming games to continue pushing towards one of those coveted trophies.  

Cardiff Devils @ Braehead Clan (L) 03/11/2012

Devils 7, Clan 5 - Final

  It had been a hard week for the Cardiff Devils, what with losing three of their key players to suspensions and injuries, then suffering a disappointing loss to the Hull Stingrays - resulting in a Challenge Cup knockout in the group stages.  Despite everything, morale was high, with the news of the new NHL signing Paul Bissonnette lifting heads.  The Devils really pulled it together on their first Scottish game of the weekend.

  Fans and teams from across the league had been voicing concern this week for the new Cardiff Devils; but Bissonnette definitely put all worries to rest when not only did he conduct himself calmly and efficiently, but always scored his first EIHL goal on his first shift, putting his new team ahead just 1.12 into the game.  Braehead followed it up pretty quickly that up with a goal of their own, Chaumont getting the home side on the board.

  The action continued for the rest of the period, with Devils' penalties and goals galore.  The period saw penalties from Mackenzie and Osaer, who was having an off night.  In addition, the Devils also managed to put themselves ahead by a further three goals, coming from MacKenzie and MacRae, who scored both an even strength and a short handed goal - earning himself the Man of the match award for his excellent play.  Finally, in the second half of the period, Clan pulled Zemlak and replaced him with Mike Will, but nothing could help.  First finished 4-1 Devils.

  With Zemlak back in goal for Braehead, the second was a less hectic.  Both team's defence took a hit during the second, making a couple of mistakes.  The Clan were definitely back in the game, adding two goals in quick succession to bring them within one, but not soon after, Cardiff Brit Ben Davies gave the Devils' their fifth goal of the night, rounding the period off to have a 5-3 lead going into the third.

  There were some worrying times for travelling Red Army fans during the third period - with the Clan scoring another two goals in quick succession, bringing the scored tied to 5-5 with 15 minutest to play.  The arena saw a couple of penalties, from both teams.  But Devils' fans were not to fear, their team was determined.  With seven minutes to go, power forward Phil Hill gave the Devils the lead again, with Mac Faulkner sealing the deal with a shorthanded, empty net gal just 6 seconds from time.

  So despite all the adversity the team has faced this week, they pulled together and came out on top, giving their fans a fantastic show in the process.  Cardiff continue their Scottish doubleheader on Sunday night against the Edinburgh Capitals, hoping to bring home those all important two points and make it a four point weekend!  If you haven't been able to travel up across the border, don't forget to follow along at Match Night Live, or watch live on the Capitals webcast.  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Braehead Clan 02/03/2012

  It was a battle for fourth place on Friday night, and that is putting it lightly.  With all points crucial at the moment, it was a fight to the death between the Cardiff Devils and the Braehead Clan.  With the Devils’ travelling up north, being stuck on a bus for 10 hours, it was a question of whether we would see the normal first period action, of coach-legs, or if they would be a force to be reckoned with from the get-go.

  It definitely seemed like the Devils’ were gunning for blood throughout the first period.  If someone had predicted that Cardiff would be winning 4-0 at the end of the first, people would have laughed in their face… but that is exactly what happened.  American superstar, Jeff Pierce, welcomed the Devils into the game with a goal that came from nowhere, just 41 seconds in.  Linemate Stuart MacRae followed five minutes later, and Canadian defensemen Jamie Vanderveeken came out with Cardiff’s third goal at 14.26, with an incredible shot on the powerplay.  Just to round off the period, Matzka also slotted one home.  To give the period that extra bit of spice, Batch went for a round with Zajac, each getting 5 for fighting.

  Into the second, and it seemed that Braehead had finally woken up.  Much like the Devils’ had in the first, Braehead came out fighting and within less than a minute, had a pulled a goal back, courtesy of MOM Jordan Krestanovich.  Play went back and forth for ten minutes, with the Clan demonstrating just how awake they now were, before we entered some controversy.  At 29.35, Kevin Phillips shot the puck at Stevie Lyle, the puck going over Lyle’s right shoulder and seemingly rebounding off the cross bar.  Despite sighs of relief coming from Devils’ fans everywhere, the goal light came on and Phillips was off down the ice celebrating.  With Sky filming the game, the Ref, Hanson, went to video review.  Goal was given, with the puck clearly hitting the back corner before bouncing out, and it was 4-2 Devils.  No further goals followed in the second, and it was off to the third.

  After a quiet second period, the Devils seemed more into the game, coming out into the third.  They applied severe pressure but just couldn’t get the puck past Suomalianen.  Down at the other end, there was another debatable call, with Hanson disallowing a Clan goal, on the grounds that the net was off its moorings.  But this wasn’t going to slow the Clan.  At 43.58, Ryan Campbell brought the Clan within one, but they just couldn’t get that final goal to push the game into overtime.  Game finished 4-3 Devils, the Welsh side winning by the skin of their teeth and gaining those two extra points to push seven points clear of Braehead.

Cardiff Devils vs Braehead Clan 05/02/2012

  It’s hockey night in Cardiff, and a very special at that!  It’s today that we say our final farewell to the legend that is the Mayor of Cardiff, Mr Brad Voth.  In welcoming the Braehead Clan into the BBT tonight, the Cardiff Devils will be hoping for a fantastic game to end Vother’s time in the ‘Diff.  Despite losing out to the Belfast Giants last night, the Devils still have it all to play for, with those two precious league points up for grabs.  Head on down to the BBT for a later start of 7pm tonight, to cheer on your Cardiff Devils and say farewell to a great leader.  Let’s make this a good one for the big guy!

  So the Devils are back on home ice and ready to take on the Braehead Clan.  With emotions running high, the Red Army welcomed legend Brad Voth into the BBT for the last time, gracing him with a standing ovation, whilst a montage of the Mayor’s time with the Devils played in the background.  With anthems and the like out of the way, the game was underway, with the Devils starting strongly.  Throughout the first few minutes of the opening twenty minutes, the Devils pressured the Clan defence, forcing their way through; holding them at bay was a solid wall in the shape of netminder, Jaakko Suomalainen, who was forced to make some fantastic saves.

  Despite the continuing pressure from the welsh side, Clan defenseman Drew Bannister managed to work his way through the Devils’ skaters and slot the puck passed tender Lyle, at 9.11.  This seemed to kickstart the rest of the Scottish side, who began to create more chances for themselves.  With more chances for the Clan came less for the Devils, and the Scottish first line looked deadly.  After several penalties, the Devils find themselves on the PP, although all that comes from it is an altercation between our own #25 Phil Hill and the remaining Clan players on the ice.  Unfortunately for the Devils, as soon as the Clan reach full strength, Jade Galbraith is straight into the Devils’ zone, throwing the puck on net, giving the Clan a 2-0 lead.  He followed this up a minute later with his second of the night at 18.41.  First period ends 3-0 Clan.

  With the shots favouring the visiting team throughout the first twenty minutes, it was going to take a serious pep-talk to changes the way of play for the Devils.  Coming out after the intermission break, it seemed that whatever was said in the locker room was slow to take effect, with the Clan camped out in the Devils’ zone.  Despite this, the Cardiff boys were not down and out, coming back with a vegence in the 26^th minute, when American forward Jeff Piece shot the puck into an open net, having tricked both the defensemen and Jaakko Suomalainen into coming out too far.  Pierce then circled round and received the pass off his skate, before moving the puck quickly from his stick into the back of the net.

  Throughout the period, both teams had seen several minor penalties.  Neither team managed to use the accompanying advantages to their advantage, the five combined powerplays all going without any goals.  The penalties that caused these powerplays were all, as already mentioned, minor and most were inconsequential, almost to the point of boredom, at least until the 36^th minutes, when both Kenton Smith and Ryan Campbell both being sent to the box for roughing, after get tangled together.  Second period ended 3-1 Clan.

  What I wouldn’t give to have been a fly on the wall in the Devils’ locker room during the 2^nd intermission break!  In a complete turnaround, Cardiff managed to score three goals in the space of ten minutes; the first, at 42.48, was from players/coach Gerad Adams, with some incredible end to end magic.  Jeff Pierce then came in with his second of the night at 45.09, followed by Scott Dobben at 48.43 with the third.  Unfortunately, despite the increase in intensity by the welsh side and the increase in saves Suomalainen was being called upon to make, the Devils failed to increase their lead.  In fact, with only 31 seconds left on the clock, Jade Galbraith, scoring his third goal of the night, pulled the Clan level, just as the Red Army were getting ready to cheer home the win.  Off into OT we went, 4-4 the score at the end of regulation.

  But, unfortunately for the Red Army, overtime came and went, with no goals for either side, despite the five minutes being Devils’ dominated.  There were some close calls, with Devils’ forward Scott Matzka going close with only 43 seconds remaining, but it was not to be.  

  Into penalty shootout we went, a feat that will make any Devils’ fan nervous… it is well known that we are not the best in shootouts, but each time we give it our all.  First up for the Clan was MOM Jade Galbraith, who put the puck just wide of Stevie Lyle.  Devils’ first shooter was defensemen Kenton Smith, who managed to put the puck passed Suomalainen and give the Red Army some hope.  The shots continued, with the Clan’s Krestanovuch also scoring his to put the two sides level.  Both Richardson and Pierce stepped up to the mark, both having their shots saved.  Just like in regulation, Galbraith came back for the Clan to score again and put them ahead two to one.  Our final shooter, Kenton Smith, had to score for us to remain in the game.  However, in a dark turn of events, the Clan tender managed to put his glove to good use and stopped Smith’s shot, ending the shootout and the game.  Final score 5-4 Clan, after OT and SO.

  Despite the loss, the Devils definitely showed what they are made out of, and gave Brad Voth a fantastic send off.  We wish the Mayor all the best in whatever he may find himself doing and hope he comes back to visit soon.  Nobody be dishearten by the weekend’s result; come on down to the BBT on Saturday (11^th Feb) night, when the Cardiff Devils welcome the Edinburgh Capitals.  Let’s go Devils!

Cardiff Devils vs Braehead Clan 13/11/11

Devils 3, Clan 4 - OT Final

  Coming off a brilliant away win over the league-leading Belfast Giants, the Cardiff Devils landed back in Wales just in time to take on the Braehead Clan.  Last time these two teams played each other was on a double-header weekend, seeing Cardiff in Braehead on the Saturday -where they suffered a disappointing 3-1 loss- and Braehead visit the Welsh Capital on the Sunday, where Cardiff got revenge in full with an incredible 5-2 win.  Will the tables turn and the Clan dominate in the BBT?

  Just like every sporting event yesterday, the BBT served a minutes silence before getting down to business.  It was slow to start with the Devils, getting an early penalty for too many men (served by Jeff Pierce at 2:35) but they held their heads up and killed off the unfortunate penalty.  It took a little bit of time but the Devils managed some nice end to end action, with both goaltenders making good saves and with certain players, cough Frank cough, throwing some hard hits. The momentum started to pick up and Clan goaltender Jaakko Suomalainen was forced to make some super saves, with captain Stuart MacRae missing an open net in the middle.  The final minutes of the first period saw a couple of Devils' penalties, with the Clan spending all of the powerplay in the Devils' zone, testing Stevie Lyle and his defense.  Luckily our Welsh wall held strong and the period ended 0-0.

  Unfortunately, due to a power problem, the second period had a delayed start.  Everyone was definitely powered up for the action to start though, keeping themselves amused with renditions of the Mexican Wave to keep the spirits up.  Once the lights were back on, the Devils went straight back to business, with Hill getting a penalty for interference.  Despite immense pressure from the Clan's PP unit, the Devils kill off the penalty and return the favor tenfold when the Clan's Kevin Phillips was sent to the box.  Although the penalty had finished, the Devils continued with their pressure and managed to find a hole, with Jeff Pierce volleying the puck passed Suomalainen to put the Devils on the scoreboard.

  With the score leaning in the Devils' favor, they seemed to get their confidence back; or, at their least their physicality.  Within 60 seconds, Hill was back in the box and Frank was thrown out for a dangerous check from behind, receiving a match penalty in the process.  With almost two minutes of 5-on-3 powerplay, it was clear that the Clan were definitely at the advantage and they used it well.... at 34:16 the Clan equalize with a powerplay goal, coming from Mike Bayrack.  However, the Devils were not to be beaten.  In the following minute, the Devils went back ahead with a shorthanded goal from Max Birbraer.  The Devils looked to have their magic back, when captain Stuart MacRae also tipped the puck over the line; unfortunately, Ref Carson called offside and the goal was disallowed.  Braehead used this to their advantage and came back to score one of their own, making it 2-2, Mike Bayrack getting his second of the night.

  The events of the second period seemed to have taken an effect on Cardiff, as, just 1:58 into the third period, Mike Bayrack claimed the puck and scored his third goal of the night, earning himself a hat-trick.  For the following ten minutes, neither team were taking clear shots, until, at 54:32, Ben Davies got hold of the puck and leveled the score.  With just under seven minutes to play, the score was tided at 3-3, with both teams desperate to get that winning goal.  Despite all their efforts, the game went to overtime.  The five minutes of the OT period were close, with both teams coming extremely close several times but in the final minute of OT, the Clan clinched the game, earning themselves a four-point weekend, after an incredible 10-1 win of fellow Celts, the Fife Flyers.

  Putting the past behind us, the Devils will now spend the week preparing for their double-header against the Coventry Blaze. The last time these two teams met finished in a 6-1 home win for the Devils.  Make sure you're down at the BBT on Saturday, for the 7pm face off, and that you follow along on the MNL if you can't make it to Coventry on Sunday!  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils vs Braehead Clan 02/10/11

Devils 5, Clan 2 - Final

  Sunday night, and it's time for the Devils to get some revenge on the Braehead Clan, after last night's 3-1 defeat up in Scotland.  With Player/Assistant Coach Scott Matzka missing for the Devils, supposedly with a mild concussion, and Mike Bayrack missing from the Clan's bench, due to visa problems, it was sure to be an interesting game.

  The first period didn't get off to the best of starts in the BBT, with some technical problems delaying the FO.  By the time the puck was dropped everyone was anxious to see what was going to happen.  Once play started, the Devils created several changes, getting a few shots on goal, but last night's MOM Jaakko Suomalainen held strong in between the pipes.  In the opening ten minutes, both teams also saw a couple of offsides.

  The penalty box also saw some action in the initial twenty minutes.  Starting at 7:14, Braehead had four players sent to the box, Galbraith the first for hooking, followed by Zajac for interference; Tim Wedderburn, who was the other Clan player to earn a penalty in last night's game, followed his teammates with a delay of game call.  At 17:15, both Kyle Bruce and Brad Voth were served penalties, Bruce's for roughing.  Voth's penalty, however, was for a high stick, for which he received five plus a game misconduct.  To combat for this, Jeff Pierce took matters into his own hands and, with the help of Kenton Smith and Stuart MacRae, put the puck in the back of the net.  Score at the end of the first, 1-0 Devils.

  Roll on the second period!  After good first period, the Devils came back out after the fifteen minute intermission, ready and raring to go.  And did they ever show who's game it was!  Just 1:06 into the period, Player/Coach Gerad Adams took hold of the puck and blasted it past Clan tender Suomalainen.  With the score now 2-0 Devils, it is possible that Braehead were getting slightly frustrated.  At 25:42, Kyle Bruce was put in the box for roughing, and Jordan Krestanovich followed with two for hooking.  Despite the Clan penalties, the Devils' game continued to flow and Captain Stuart MacRae added the Devils' third goal of the night.  To round of the period, Jeff Pierce scored his second of the night, and Gerad Adams was sent to the box for holding.

   Another fifteen minute intermission and the players were back out on the ice, ready for the third period.  The final twenty minutes saw two penalties and three goals, plus a change of goaltender.  At 41:48, Ryan Campbell managed to pull one back for the Clan; James Jorgensen followed this up with a hooking penalty.  Two minutes later, fellow Clan member Jordan Krestanovich joined Jorgensen in the box, after drawing a tripping call.  This gave the Devils a 5-on-3 power-play, which they used to their advantage.  At 44:46, British Defensemen Mark Richardson netted the Devils' fifth and final goal.  In a last ditch attempt to pull back the game, Jordan Krestanovich added a second goal to the Clan's tally, at 53:18, just after the Devils had swtiched Lyle for Joe Myers.  Final score: Devils 5, Clan 2.

  Next game is on Saturday, in Fife, FO at 7:15pm.  Can't make it up to Scotland?  Follow the guys here: www.the-inferno.co.uk/mnl  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Braehead Clan 01/10/11

Devils 1, Clan 3 - Final

  This first of October saw the Cardiff boys travelling to Scotland for their first match-up against the Braehead Clan.  The Clan are coming off a brilliant weekend, after winning their game on Saturday 6-0 against the Dundee Stars, and the Sunday game 4-2, against the Edinburgh Capitals.  On the other hand, the Devils are also coming off a four-point weekend, after defeating Hull 4-2 at the BBT, and shutting out Coventry, in the Skydome, with a 2-0 final score.

  The game started with some intense end-to-end action, with both goaltenders getting closer to the puck than they would like.  Both teams also saw their fair share of offsides in the opening five minutes.  But, after about seven minutes of the first period, Frank the Tank showed us all that he isn't invincible.  After Scott Matzka was sent to the box for tripping, the Clan were trying to capitalize on their advantage, shooting shot after shot at the net.  Frank put his body in the way of a Clan shot and ended up taking a bite out of the puck; or, the puck to a bite out of him?  The defensemen was taken from the ice to get patched up, and play continued after the ice was cleaned.  But nothing could keep the Tank from the ice. He was back on just after Braehead scored their first goal, netted by Adam Walker at 12:59, unassisted.

  Throughout the duration of the first twenty minutes, the Devils took a couple of penalties, all minor in some degree or another.  Unfortunately, the third power-play was just what the Clan were looking for, and they capitalized with the extra man, McPherson doubling their lead, while Kenton Smith was in the box for slashing.  Score at the end of the first, 2-0 Clan.

  Devils were given a slight reprieve in the second, with less penalties being taken.  Most of the second twenty minutes were played with five men for both side, with the exception of a slashing call for Dobben and a holding call for Wedderburn.  Both teams through everything at the net, but this time the netminders were ready.  With shots coming at both ends, Lyle and Suomalainen, earning himself the MOM award, were pulling off some fantastic saves.  Second finished 2-0 Clan.

  The start of the third saw some rough play, mainly centered around Lyle's goal area but nothing came of it.  In fact, nothing really happened for the first ten or so minutes of the third period.  There were hits made, but none that did any serious damage.  It wasn't until 49:34 that the box saw any actions.  The only Clan to get a penalty throughout the entire game, Tim Wedderburn spent two minutes in the box for interference.  During the power-play, the Devils' own Max Birbraer managed to pull them back within one goal, with the help of defensemen Kenton Smith and Mark Richardson, at 50:43.

  Energized by the PP goal, the Devils found a new lease of life and gave everything to get the puck on the net.  Despite this, the Clan's netminder, Jaakko Suomalainen, stood strong between the pipes.  57:14 saw Tim Wedderburn back in the box, once again for interference, but Cardiff failed to use the advantage.  With 14 seconds left of the game, Braehead cemented their win with an empty net goal, after the Devils pulled Lyle, in hope that the extra attacker would help level up the playing-field.  Final score 3-1 Braehead.

  Despite the loss tonight, the Devils will be gunning for revenge tomorrow night, as they face the Braehead Clan at home in the BBT.  FO is at 6pm, make sure you are there to support the guys.  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Braehead Clan 11/02/11

Devils 1, Clan 7 - Final

  Well, what can be said for this game?  In all honesty, not an awful lot really.

  The first period consisted of one goal - a Braehead goal, from number nine, Bruce Richardson at 1722 - and not much else.  Although there were plenty of shots on goal: Cardiff accumulating fourteen shots, and Braehead slightly behind on ten.  There were a couple of minor penalties but nothing major to report.

  However, in the second period, everything heated up.  The score went up from 1-0 Braehead, to 4-1 Braehead.  The first of the three Braehead goals in the second came from Bostock, on the power-play;  the second came off the stick of Chaumont to beat Stevie Lyle, who blocked 23 of 30 shots against him, the third coming from Landry.  In an attempt to even up the score, Scotty Matzka, with the help of Kenton Smith, managed to get one passed Perras (who stopped 37 of 38 shots against him), to make the score 4-1.

  But it only went from bad to worse when we came out for the third period.  With Canadian giant Brad Voth still in the box due to a roughing penalty from the second period, Cardiff were a player down and Braehead decided to take full advantage.  At 0.49 in the third, Braehead captain Brandon Cook shot one past Stevie.  The score when up again at 13.23, on the power-play again, when Landry netted his second of the night.  Finally, at 15.21, Krestonavich finished off the Braehead scoring, the final score being 7-1 Braehead.

  Although the Cardiff goals were lacking, the boys in read sure made up for it in penalties.  All in all, Sam Smith, Craig Weller and Gerad Adams ended up with two each, Brad Voth and Ryan Finnerty both totaled four, and Kenton Smith managed to get six.  So it was still an interesting game to watch... even though we lost.

Cardiff Devils vs Braehead Clan 22/01/11

Devils 4, Clan 0 - Final

  Back to winning ways!  After a disappointing loss last Sunday, and a tight draw on Wednesday, Cardiff were back on form on Saturday, Stevie Lyle getting his fourth shutout of the season!  He successfully blocked 21 shots, making the winner of the Shirt Of His Back competition an extremely happy woman.  Up there with Stevie, was Craig Weller, earning the Devils' Man of The Match award.

  For anyone who was at the Cardiff Bay Arena, you will know it was a brilliant night.  Starting the night off with a bang, in comes Brad Voth.  At 4.26, with the help of Captain Ryan Finnerty and Coach Gerad Admas, Voth opened up the scoring for Cardiff.  The goal was amazing as usually - although we don't expect anything less from the 6'5" giant.  The Red Army was on their feet, screaming the roof down!  We even had a rendition of "Shoe in the air if you love Brad Voth".  You can't imagine the stink after that one finish!

  At 11.39, the Man of The Match doubled the lead.  Weller was assisted by Tylor Michel and Stuart MacRae, AKA Nova Scotia.  So not only does he do a great job of defending the Red crease (and looking after Stevie), but he also scores goals!  Definitely M of M material!

  At the end of the first, Cardiff were leading with a 2 goal advantage.  Question: can they hold onto the lead?  Of course they can!  In fact, the Devils' are so brilliant that they add to it!  Jon Pelle, assisted by Scott Matzka, fired the puck into the back of the net, at 9.56.  The Devils were now 3-0, and showing no signs of stopping!  Could anyone (apart from Dundee) stop them???

  The Clan Captain was having a good ol' go.  No. 18, Brendan Cook, was lucky he wasn't on the ice bleeding.  From my seat, two rows back in Block 15, I could see the steam coming out of certain players' ears - Ryan Finnerty and Brad Voth.  Cook was pushing, shoving, trying to pick a fight with everyone and anyone.  Finally, enough was enough; he took it too far when he got too close to Stevie Lyle for Gerad Adams' likings.  At 10.16 in the third period, both Adams and Cook went up on the board, two minutes for Roughing, after Cook plowed into Stevie Lyle.

  Although that ghastly player did managed to snatch the Man of The Match award for the Braehead Clan, the Devils managed to get back at him a worse way that beating him in a fist fight - although I would have found that more entertaining.  At 3.59, Stuart MacRae increased our lead to 4-0, Tylor Michel getting his second assist of the night, along with Mark Richardson.

  So, all in all, a damn good match.  Kick yourself if you missed it; but don't forget to get your tickets and go and cheer on the Devils at their next home match, against Edinburgh Capitals, on Saturday 29th January - the day before the All-Star Game, for those of you who follow the NHL!