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 vs Edinburgh Capitals (L) 19/01/2013

Devils 4, Capitals 5 - OT Final

  After an interesting week of upheaval for the Cardiff Devils, as well as the excitement of the snow, the Welsh side was all set to take on the Edinburgh Capitals in the BBT tonight. Coming off an up and down weekend – securing a win over the Fife Flyers on Sunday night after suffering a disappointing loss to the Nottingham Panthers the previous night – the Devils were ready to show they were back on their feet.

  Cardiff started off well, with a quick goal, Faulkner doing what he does best in the opening two minutes to be the home aide off to a flying start. This was quickly followed up with a round of wrestling from Kenton Smith and Cingel - both earning themselves 2+2 for slashing and roughing.  Cardiff also saw a goal disallowed after Captain Stuart MacRae was ruled to have kicked the puck into the net.  They made up for it though, after both sides received a couple of penalties, with d-man Mark Smith adding a second for the home side (a power play goal, assisted by Max Birbraer).  Jarolin pulled one back but Cardiff carried a one goal lead through to the second.

  On a hot streak, Edinburgh were not going to take anything lying down - they came out swinging, Hartmann scoring quickly to get them back in the game.  Zembergs followed this up in the following minutes, giving the visiting side the lead for the first time in the game.  But they certainly weren't finished... Edinburgh's MOM Dobron managed to slot the puck passed Myers unassisted, whilst Portwood was in the box for delay of game - putting his side two goals ahead, as well as earning himself a short handed goal.

  The scoreline not promising but the players giving their all, it wasn't long until Cardiff answered; doing an amazing job playing out of position, Josh Batch lowered the deficit to one for the South Wales side, with MacRae following behind to level the game just fifty seconds later.  The guys continued to tally the shots on goal, a combined total of 50 shots by the end of the game (compared with Edinburgh's 23), but unfortunately Hiadlovsky was standing on his head, doing everything to keep his team in the game.

  Despite out shooting and - some are saying - out playing the Capitals, Cardiff just couldn't get that final goal in the third period - though Josh Batch, sponsored by Chris Fletcher, was assessed a 2+2+10 for attempted spearing and spent most the period in the penalty box - no matter how hard they tried nor how long they spent in the Edinburgh end.  The game rolled into OT and things were looking positive, the Devils' dominating most of the play.

  Unfortunately, Jarolin was pulled down on a breakaway, calling a penalty shot.  Determination in his eyes, nothing could have stopped that puck from going in and Edinburgh skated away with that extra point.

  With no game on Sunday, the Cardiff boys will be fully rested by Saturday, when they make the trip up to Sheffield to face off against the Steelers.  This weekend will be a true test for the guys, as they travel back on Sunday to face an unstoppable Nottingham side - one who showed just how powerful they are last weekend, defeating the Devils 4-1.  Hoping for a repeat of the first weekend of December, which saw Joe Myers walk away with a SO win over the Sheffield Steelers, there's everything to play for with this Cardiff side.  Make sure to follow along at Match Night Live on Saturday and make your way down to the tent on Sunday to give the guys the support they deserve! Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Edinburgh Capitals (L) 06/01/2013

Devils 6, Capitals 3 - Final

Cardiff were up in the Scotland last night, making the latest push in their league campaign, hoping to bury thoughts of their home loss against Hull on Saturday with a big win against the Capitals.

Devils started off quickly, defensemen Mark Richardson scoring just after the four minute mark, giving the visiting side the advantage. Tough guy Jesse Gimblett continued Cardiff's success, doubling the lead at 734. They saw a couple of penalties, both before and after their third goal, which had Mac Faulkner opening his scoring account at 1818 - whilst also closing the scoring for the period.

Despite Chris Blight adding yet another Cardiff goal to give them a four goal advantage in the second, Edinburgh were not down and out - they scored two goal in quick succession around the 30 minute mark to bring them back within two goals. A game of tit for tat followed, with Faulkner answering them, and Leinweber returning the favour.... Leaving the score at 5-3 going into the final period of play.

Cardiff added their final goal at 4443 giving them a total of 6 and successfully held off the home side to take those all important points back across the border.

With a win under their belts, Cardiff will be looking ahead to the game against Nottingham in the NIC this coming Saturday - where they will be surrounded by Red Army support! - before returning home to face Fife on Sunday. Lets go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Edinburgh Capitals (L) 04/11/2012

Devils 2, Capitals 4 - Final
 
  After a thrilling 7-5 win over the Braehead Clan on the evening prior, the Cardiff Devils were disappointed to only be returning to Wales with those two points, after suffering a 4-2 defeat to the Edinburgh Capitals on Sunday night.

  Despite a slow start to the season, the Capitals came marching out of the starting blocks, with Hartmann and Cingel putting them 2-0 up, all before the five minute mark, Hartmann scoring on the power play, Devils' forward Adam Harding in the box for hooking.  Both teams saw some penalties after the Edinburgh goals but neither managed to add to their tallies before the buzzer rang.

  The second period was a lot quieter, with just a penalty for each team... But the Red Army definitely had something to cheer about.  Just 1.24 into the period, new signing Paul Bissonnette scored his second goal in two games, putting the Devils on the scored board for the first time in the game.  Unfortunately, despite numerous chances, neither side added any extra goals.

  Penalties were the in thing during the third, leading to both the home and visiting sides scoring a power play goal.  Caps struck first, with Jarolin their scorer adding their third goal and reestablishing their two goal lead from earlier in the game.  However, just eight minutes from time, Chris Blight shortened the scottish side's lead.  It was looking like another comeback for the welsh side, but in an attempt to even the score, they pulled Osaer for the extra attacker - and Jarolin managed to put Edinburgh out of reach with an empty net goal just 24 seconds before the buzzer rang.

  With a proud Red Army following them home, the Cardiff Devils are not playing on Saturday, so make sure you get down to the BBT on Sunday, to watch Paul Bissonnette make his home debut against the Fife Flyers.  Fill The Tent! Let's Go Devils!

 

  

Cardiff Devils vs Edinburgh Capitals (L) 29/09/2012

Devils 4, Capitals 1 - Final

  Coming off a difficult loss to the Belfast Giants on Thursday night, the Cardiff Devils were back at home last night, facing off against the Edinburgh Capitals.  After a tough few days of recovery, the Cardiff side knew they needed to step it up. 

  The game started with an immediate 5-on-3 advantage for the home side, but unfortunately they were unable to convert.  The Devils’ continued to exert pressure, forcing save after save from Edinburgh tender Craig Holland.  They finally managed to convert just before the 15 minute mark, via a short-handed goal from Mac Faulkner, who is proving to be a fantastic asset for Cardiff, the pass coming from Devin Didiomete.

  The Devils’ continued outshoot the Capitals for the rest of the period but Holland was immoveable – first twenty finished 1-0 Devils.

  Second period saw several early penalties for the Devils, with Osaer proving that he deserved his second star status.  The end to end action passed by with nothing noteworthy to report, until Cardiff Captain Stuart MacRae doubled the welsh side’s lead.  They continued to push for that third, with several brilliant passes coming from Faulkner but nothing could penetrate Holland.  2-0 at end of the second.

  Off into the third and it proved to be feisty.  The fans were welcomed back into the game with Didiomete dropping the gloves against MacIntyre, after being on the receiving end of a check off the puck.  Both received fighting majors and an additional minor each.  The Devils’ had Holland all but standing on his head after the two fighters returned but could not get anything through… The same could not be said for Osaer.  Capitals’ Zemberge managed to bury one in the Cardiff net, getting the visitors on the board, at 52.15.

  The Capitals’ glow didn’t last long; just under a minute later, Faulkner scored his second of the night, giving the Devils’ a 3-1 lead going into the final six minutes.  Just to round off the night, Didiomete finished his Gordie Howe hattrick by burying Cardiff’s fourth goal, with Faulkner assisting.

  A solid improvement by the Cardiff side, but with their next game away against the Nottingham Panthers on Tuesday, who will have revenge on the mind after last Sunday’s 6-5 Challenge Cup defeat, add to this their new NHL-lockout signing Anthony Stewart making his debut for the northern club this weekend, the Devils will definitely have to take their game up a notch this coming week! We all know that they will rise to the challenge; Let’s Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils @ Edinburgh Capitals 12/02/2012

  So the Devils travelled north on Sunday for the second leg of their double header weekend against the Edinburgh Capitals, having played a physical game the night before, resulting in a win for the welsh side.  With the Welsh rugby team beating the Scots in the Six Nations, can the Devils emulate their success against the Scottish side?  Was there ever any doubt?

  The first started off slow for the Devils, with lots of pressure coming for the Capitals, forcing Lyle to make sure spectacular saves.  But the Cardiff side pushed ahead and within a couple of minutes, number 93 had put the visitors on the scoreboard.  Pierce took a pass from Welshman Ben Davies, before slotting the puck past netminder Nathan Craze.  With the confidence building rapidly, the Devils continued with their immense pressure, forcing save after save from Craze, before resident heavyweight Chris Frank doubled the Devils’ lead, Cardiff leading 2-0 before 10 minutes had passed. 

  The period continued with only a couple of minor penalties and saves, until the last minute. Capitals’ MOM Jarolin, having just resigned with the Capitals for next season, skated the length of the ice and tricked Lyle into coming out, before slotting the puck into the other side of the net, closing the deficit by one.  With only 48 seconds to play after Jarolin’s goal, the period finished 2-1 Devils.

  Second period started with a worrying hit on Captain Stuart MacRae, with the Capitals’ offender Safar getting 2+10 for checking to the head.  The Cardiff Captain was a bit weary on his feet but skates off on his own and is back on the ice a few minutes later.  During his absence, the powerplay comes and goes with no real chances for the Devils, but defenseman Jamie Vanderveeken adds a third goal to the Devils’ tally at 22.11, opening up that gap again.  With some great combined play by S. Smith, Matzka and Adams, the Devils managed to create some great chances, though failing to convert.  Zembergs ended a good spell of Devils’ play with the Caps second goal, timed at 31.27.  There were some close chances for both sides throughout the remaining 10 minutes.  Towards the end of the period, some questionable calls were made by the officials, resulting in two Devils’ players heading to the box.  Devils’ fight off the Caps for the remaining minutes of the second, and the period finishes 3-2 Devils.

  Unfortunately, the penalties carried over into the third, and the Caps started the last twenty with 8 seconds of 5-on-3 play, although the Devils successful kill of this and all future penalties.  Big hits are thrown on both sides, and some big saves being made at both ends of the ice but nothing comes of any further chances for either side. 

  In a desperate attempt to force overtime, the Caps pull netminder Craze and finish out the game with 6 skaters, getting a 6-on-4 advantage when Matzka is sent to the box with 2+2 for hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct.  Despite the flurry of shots from Edinburgh, Devils’ hold the edge and finish the game with the score remaining 3-2. Yet another fantastic four point weekend for the Welsh side.

   With the weekend games over, the Devils now look to Wednesday when the Fife Flyers come to town.  Puck drop is at 7.30pm and it is sure to be a great game… Let’s cheer on our boys in their third game in five days!  Let’s go Devils! 

Cardiff Devils vs Edinburgh Capitals 11/02/2012

  The boys are back in the BBT tonight, as they welcome the Edinburgh Capitals into the Welsh capital.  This was the Capitals first game in two weeks, after they had an unexpected week off when their game against the Nottingham Panthers being postponed due to bad weather last Sunday.  On the other hand, our Devils were coming off a bad weekend, losing out to both the Belfast Giants and the Braehead Clan, despite putting up a fantastic fight in both games.  Were they able to turn their luck around this week?  Of course they were…

  First period started off fairly well for our Welsh boys, with an early powerplay showing some extreme improvement.  Shots were coming frequently for the Devils but nothing was getting through fellow Welshman Nathan Craze.  With the first half of the first quiet, it wasn’t until the 12^th minute that the Devils lit up the scoreboard; our very own powerhouse forward Phil Hill started off the Devils’ scoring with a fabulous goal, from Jeff Pierce and captain Stuart MacRae.  Of course, this wasn’t going to be the only points of the game going to this line, but we’ll get back to that in a minute.  Unfortunately, the Devils didn’t stay ahead for long, as two minutes later, Rene Jarolin, who has just announced that he is to re-sign with the Capitals for the 2012/2013 season, slotted the puck passed Stevie Lyle. 

  With a goal for each side, you would think that that was all the action we had time for in the first period.  If that was what you thought, then you would have been wrong.  At the exact moment the buzzer rang, an altercation broke out in front of the home bench, involving Sam Smith and Gerad Adams from the Devils, and Jiri Hanzel from the Capitals.  Each player got at least two for roughing, and Smith got a game for ‘third man in’.  The period ended 1-1 and Capitals would start the second on the powerplay.

  Despite starting the period on the penalty kill, the Devils didn’t stay down for long.  At the 25 minute mark, Captain Stuart MacRae pushed Craze for his second points of the night.  The Devils’ second goal of the night was set up by an incredible run by number 93, Jeff Pierce, with the other going to Phil Hill.  The Devils’ luck and good play continued on into the second half of the second period, when MacRae got his second of the night, with a powerplay goal no less!  Devils were now 2 goals ahead, until Edinburgh’s MOM Jarolin also got his second of the night, on the powerplay, bringing the score to 3-2 at the end of the second.

  With the Devils leading by a goal going into the third, it was clear that Edinburgh were desperate for an equaliser.  Their desperation, although bringing on some great play, failed to even the score and, after some big hits from the Cardiff side, Devils’ MOM Jeff Pierce managed to widen the deficit further with a powerplay goal, giving the Devils a 4-2 lead.   This was followed up by the Devils’ 5^th goal, scored by number 25 Phil Hill.  This was his second of the night, demonstrating how lethal that line truly was; all goals and assists, bar one, where tallied by the Hill-MacRae-Pierce line.  The final score: 5-2 Devils, with those two crucial points going in the pot.

  Tomorrow night, the Devils travel north of the border for the return leg of this double header weekend, hoping to bring the success with them to Murrayfield.  Hopefully, the MNL will be covering the game, but are in desperate need of texters (if available, email OJ on matchnightlive@gmail.com).  On the other hand, the Edinburgh Capitals will be webcasting the game at http://www.edinburgh-capitals.com/webcast/ .  Let’s go Devils!

Cardiff Devils vs/@ Edinburgh Capitals 11/02/12 + 12/02/12

  With the emotions running high last week, it will be back to business in the BBT this weekend, with the Edinburgh Capitals touching down in Cardiff, for the first game of a double header weekend.  Saturday night sees the Scottish side come to Wales to do battle in the Bay, with the Devils travelling to Murrayfield on Sunday. 

  Devils will be fighting for those all-important league points, after coming off a difficult weekend previous, which saw the Devils lose out to both Belfast and Braehead, although fans were given a show on Sunday when the Devils came back from a 3-0 deficit to, unfortunately, lose 5-4 after the Clan's Jade Galbraith scored on Stevie Lyle not only in the final minute of regulation, but in the penalty shootout as well.  On the other hand, Edinburgh should be well rested.  With their Sunday game against Nottingham having been postponed due to poor weather, the Capitals haven’t played since January 29^th, when they lost 6-3 at home to the Sheffield Steelers.  With this in mind, what can we really expect from this weekend’s clash? 

  Edinburgh has an away record of 1-9-0 in their last 10 away games, whereas Cardiff is posting a 5-2-3 home record in their last 10.  On the flip side, the Devils are tallying a 6-2-2 away record, with a 2-0-0 record in Murrayfield.  With all the stats pointing in Cardiff's direction, will the welsh side continue to hold the edge in the Scottish capital or, with the news of Rene Jarolin resigning for next season bringing delight to the team at Murrayfield, will the Edinburgh Capitals pull it out of the bag on the night?  Make sure to either get yourself down to the BBT on Saturday, or follow along on the MNL (www.the-inferno.co.uk/match-night-live), to see who will emerge victorious in this battle of Capitals!  

Cardiff Devils vs Edinburgh Capitals 29/01/11

Devils 13, Capitals 2 - Final

  Fifteen goals scored in one game; what an amazing achievement.  Wanna know what makes it more incredible?  Thirteen of those goals were scored by the Cardiff Devils!  They came in the form of a powerplay goal, a shorthanded goal, a hat-trick, and a couple of doubles.  All-in-all, a good night for the Red Army.

  It was clear by the end of the first that Cardiff were running away with this one.  With the first few minutes going by uneventfully, Devils' No. 5, Mark Smith, opened the scoring at 5.43, with Jon Pelle and Max Birbraer both earning their first (of many) assist of the night.  Cardiff then went quiet for just over ten minutes, before Brad Voth doubled the lead.  At 18.48, with the help of captain Ryan Finnerty and Tylor Michel, the Canadian giant fired the puck into the back of the net, on the powerplay, earning him his thirteenth of the season.  Not even a minute later, Voth was followed up by Phil Hill, who, at 19.16 with Finnerty getting his second and Voth his first assist of the night, fired one home, to make it 3-0 before the break.

  With everyone, players and fans alike, buzzing from the excitement of the first period, the second period couldn't come soon enough.  These next twenty minutes were going to see seven goals in total, although not all were from a Devils' stick, one being the first of a hat-trick.  At 4.41, Max 'Boom Boom' Birbraer got himself on the score sheet (for a goal this time), with Jon Pelle getting his second assist and Scott Matzka earning his first, to make the score 4-0.  Cardiff kept the momentum going, with Stuart MacRae scoring the first goal of three, at 5.58, Tylor Michel getting his second assist and player/coach Gerad Adams following just one assist behind.  The third goal of the period came of the stick of Ryan Finnerty, with goaltender Joe Myers, who played for the full sixty minutes and saved 14 out of 16 shots, and forward Sam Smith both getting their first assists' of the night.

  It wasn't all plain sailing in the second though.  I guess that the Caps didn't like being walked all over.  And being 6-0 down didn't seem to slow them.  At 9.02 Neil Dolan got one back for the Scottish side, alternate Jeff Hutchins following in his footsteps just a minute later, to knock the defeatist down to eight.  But it was definitely too late for those two goals to do any damage to Cardiff's game.

  At 12.51 in the second, Scott Matzka increased the lead to 7-1, Jon Pelle getting his third assist and Max Birbraer his second.  My guy Sam Smith then followed his lead at 15.22, with assists for Gerad Adams and Tylor Michel, rounding off the period with an 8-1 lead.

  Before I even go into the goals in the third period, I'd like to point out that only three Cardiff players didn't get on the score sheet in one way or another, although it wasn't for lack of trying.  I don't know what Gee has been saying to these guys in practice but whatever it is, it worked.

  But back onto the third; getting his second of the night, No. 15, Scott Matzka, opened the third period scoring at 2.19, with Max Birbraer earning a hat-trick in assists and Jon Pelle getting his fourth!  And it didn't stop there.  Stuart MacRae, also getting his second, fired the puck pasted Jens Van Pouke - on his debut for the Edinburgh Capitals, stopping 55 shots out of 68 - assists going to Sam Smith and Tylor Michel.  The latter, No. 16 Tylor Michel, got himself a goal to go with his selection of assists, at 8.28 - assists going to Sam Smith and Stuart MacRae.  This also earned Tylor his 100th EIHL career competitive point and eleventh goal of the season. 

  With over half the period gone, and an incredbile lead of 11-2, the Devils didn't slow.  Brad Voth continued on with his great night, earning himself another goal, at 11.14 in the third - Ryan Finnerty and Phil Hill both getting assists.  To round off the night, Stuart MacRae got himself a hat-trick, scoring a short-handed goal at 18.02, with the help coming from Sam Smith - getting his fourth of the night - and Craig Weller.

  Cardiff are now five points clear at the top of the Elite League and it is obvious that they aren't going anywhere; what a time to be Devils' fan! Good luck tonight boys, against the Blaze!