Cardiff Devils vs Belfast Giants (L) 06/12/2014, Cardiff Devils vs Belfast Giants (L) 07/12/2014

Devils 4, Giants 1 - Final (Saturday)

Devils 5, Giants 3 - Final (Sunday

Four points… against Belfast… the defending Elite League champions… enough said, right?

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Only kidding!  Nine goals, 4000 spectators and no Mike Hicks!  Can things get any better for us Devils’ fans right now?! 

I was definitely one happy member of the Red Army as I watched our guys claim four precious league points from the defending League Champions, the Belfast Giants.  Now, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous before Saturday’s game but the Devils certainly pulled out all the stops to demonstrate just how serious they are about their Elite League campaign this year!

Saturday night saw a complete Cardiff Devils’ roster face off in front of a crowd of more than two thousand fans, as the Red Army came out in force – probably because they heard about the clappers being given out on entry!! (Yes, I’m secretly jealous I didn’t get one!  The downside to watching the webcast instead of making the two-hour journey to the Bay!) 

Surprisingly, we had no fighting majors recorded this weekend – unfortunate I know!  Last time we engaged in a double header against the reigning champions, over in the Land of Guinness, we saw Josh Batch giving Giants’ captain Adam Keefe a taste of his own medicine, drawing blood from the pain we all hate to love.  While both sides seemed just as physical this time round, tempers were mostly in control.

Despite that, we did see a bout of handbags in the opening period, after a hit from Trevor Hendrikx (who else, eh?).  We had some hugs and a little of dancing side to side between Hendrikx and Kompon, before ex-NHLer Kevin Westgarth got himelf involved.

Now I was sure Westgarth was going to get third man in; considering I’m usually rubbish at spotting third man in, I thought it was completely obvious!  But, alas, our refs apparently did not think so… In fact, Westgarth was treated to a four minute roughing penalty, while Josh Batch, who jumped in to defend his defensive partner, sat for two.

Shortly after, alternate captain Jake Morrisette officially opened the scoring at 18:48, with his twelfth goal of the season.  I say officially, because the Giants were unfortunate to have a very early goal disallowed.

After a hard fought first period, the Devils’ carried their one goal lead into the second, where they managed to double their lead just over half way through – coming from Joey Martin, who also scored his twelfth goal of the season!

Colin Shields managed to pull one back for the visiting side, assisted by Robby Sandrock and Craig Peacock, at 31:44.  This seemed to revive the Irish side slightly, finishing the period strongly.

Going into the third, tensions were high.  With the BBT rocking, both sides were definitely putting on a show, especially between the pipes.  While the two teams battled in the neutral zone, Ben Bowns and Carsen Chubak stood on their heads in a competition to see who would be the first to fall.  As seems to be the way when these two teams come together, it was the visiting fans that were to be disappointed.

His offense struggling to come up with the goods, it was up to Carsen Chubak to keep his team in the game and for the most part, he did extremely well.  But as the game wore on and legs began to fail, Chubak slipped and Matty Myers was there to take advantage, not once but twice!

With Sawada and Hendrikx in the box after another round of handbags, things were heating up.  But Myers was unfazed as he shot the puck past the Giants’ goaltender, first on 4-on-4 play and again ninety seconds later whilst on the man advantage after Robby Sandrock was sent to the box for high stick.

After such an explosive ending, is it any wonder that the BBT was mayhem on Sunday, with even more of the Red Army piling in to see all of the action?!

Like Saturday, it was unclear before faceoff, which way the game was going to go.  Many expected the Giants to come fighting, desperate for revenge after falling 4-1 the previous night.  However, it was the Devils that came out raring.

And raring they were!  With just four and a half minutes played, Joey Haddad added his thirteenth goal of the season to give his team the early lead.  While the game had been end to end for the opening minutes, the Devils had been pressurising Chubak and it was only a matter of time before he let one slip.

Not even a minute later, Jesse Mychan, with his family watching all the way over in Canada, had a brilliant breakaway opportunity to double the lead, but was interfered with, earning himself a penalty shot!  Unfortunately Chubak read him like a book and was able to get down before Jesse could shoot the puck through his legs.

But never mind – Brent Walton, who was one of four players sitting on twelve goals for the season so far, could not be out done by Haddad and also added his thirteenth goal to give the Devils’ a two-nothing lead with only five minutes played!

With things looking bad for the visiting side already, Coach Thornton used up his time out early, giving his players a quick break to evaluate their position.  But it must have been hard to make himself heard as the volume continued to increase as the Red Army got into full swing!

Frustrated as they were, the Giants were struggling to find the offensive strategy to decrease the deficit.  Most of their shots were coming from outside of the zone and even Adam Keefe could not goad Jesse Mychan into a bit of rough and tumble – Jesse just laughed!

Normally both extremely physical teams anyway, it seemed impossible for the hits to get bigger, harder or even more bruising!  Belfast were definitely taking out their frustration on any in black that moved, but the home side was not going to take it lying down – big checks were coming from every line on both sides and it was extremely surprising that we did not see any gloves flying from either side.

But the Giants’ desperate efforts were rewarded with just over seven minutes left in the opening period when, with Andrew Hotham in the box for slashing, Ray Sawada managed to push the puck under Bowns to make it a one-goal game.  There was some controversy over the goal, with the assisting player, Kompon, playing the puck with a broken stick, but Matt Thompson gave a good goal.

It seems all the Devils’ wanted in the scoring action tonight, as Joey Martin added a third Devils’ goal, at 16:37 (with Darryl Lloyd in the box – surprise, surprise), giving him thirteen goals for the season so far!  When they say hockey teams are close, it seems they do actually do everything together!

To round off an extremely eventful period, Adam Keefe managed to grab another goal for his team, giving them a slight confidence boost going into the second period of what has become an extremely close game.

It was this confidence that saw them camped out in the Devils’ zone at the beginning of the second period, forcing long shifts for both Hendrikx and Batch and Bowns to put on the show of his life!  We definitely saw some highlight-reel material from both goaltenders this weekend.

With the pushing and shoving at an all time high, it was only a matter of time before someone was sent to the box.  And there were several penalties that went by without any definite chances for either side.  It wasn’t until Brockwell was sent to the box for delay of game with just over ten minutes left to play that things got interesting.

With only one goal in it and both sides playing a tight game, it was definitely the case that the next goal was crucial in turning the tides.  And unfortunately for the ruckus that was the Red Army, Jeff Mason managed to slot on in shorted handed to give the Giants the boost they needed, tying the game for the first time.

Tensions continued to build as the second ticked away but the score remained the same going into the final period. 

But despite a show of tired legs at the end of the second period, the Devils were certainly not down and out!  With just a minute and sixteen played, Andrew Hotham added his eighth goal of the season to give the Welsh side the lead once more.           

And to finally round off the scoring for the evening, with a beautiful sniper shot from the wing, player-coach Andrew Lord showed us all how it is done, celebrating the win by pulling on the emblem on the front of his jersey!  Team pride is definitely what we like to see!!

With the fifth Devils’ goal coming with over ten minutes still to play, the Giants were desperate to get themselves back in the game.  Tempers were running high as Giants swiped at Devils and at themselves!  Things only got worse as they had their second goal of the weekend disallowed for offside.

After using his timeout so early in the game, all Steven Thornton could do was stand behind the bench and watch as his player desperately tried to decrease the deficit.  He pulled Chubak with less than two minutes to go, giving his side the extra man but the Devils had the crowd on the ice with them and nothing was going to get through.

Unfortunately for Darryl Lloyd, our boys in black were certainly feeling the energy in the BBT, as Tyson Marsh ploughed the Belfast no. 72 into the boards.  Lloyd was slow to get up and had to be helped from the ice, although he did leave on his feet – So did Tyson, for that matter, when he was given a 5+Game for boarding.  Hopefully we won’t see too many repercussions from that, and we hope that Darryl Lloyd is okay.

Despite the Giants’ six on four advantage for the final thirty five seconds, the game was finished and the Red Army cheered for a fantastic four point weekend!!

So after an amazing weekend against the defending Elite League Champions, the Devils now look ahead to next weekend, as they face off against two of the top teams in the league this year.  Friday night sees a 7:30pm game against the Sheffield Steelers in Tin Town, before they return home to rest up on Saturday to face off against the league-leading Braehead Clan on Sunday!

Make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action this weekend! 

Unfortunately for me, this is my last post until after Christmas now, so I certainly wish you all a Happy Hockey Christmas!!! 

Let’s Go Devils!!

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 @ Belfast Giants (L) 08/11/2014, Cardiff Devils vs Belfast Giants (L) 09/11/2014

Devils 4, Giants 7 - Final (Saturday)

Devils 3, Giants 2 - Final (Sunday)

To the Land of Guinness we go….

Hello Devils’ fans!

This weekend brought Adam Keefe and his Giants into the ring against our Cardiff Devils, with Keefe showing off his shiny new toy, former-NHLer Kevin Westgarth.  With both games standing room only, we were definitely treated to a show!

Saturday night saw an unfortunate loss for the boys in red.  Despite two powerplay goals and a lucky bounce on the penalty kill for Jesse Mychan, the Devils fell 7-4 in the O.

Things started slowly for the Devils, with number one pain Darryl Lloyd lighting up the scoreboard for the home side less than five minutes into the game.  Despite outshooting their rivals and going on the man advantage at 13:07 (with David Phillips in the box for holding), the Devils were not able to levelled the score until 17:57, when, with Dougie Clarkson in the box for elbowing, Jesse Mychan was in the right place at the right time, batting home a miss-pass from Robby Sandrock.

The big news this past week has been Giants’ new signing Kevin Westgarth.  The Windsor, Ontario native has spent most of the past five seasons playing in the top flight, icing for 169 NHL games in his career.  Coming from the Calgary Flames last season, Westgarth has also played for current Stanley Cup Champions the LA Kings, as well as the Carolina Hurricanes.  From a girl’s prospective, I am very jealous!  Imagine spending all that time with those Staal brothers…!

But anyway, there was certainly a lot of hype surrounding the Canadian’s debut – and what an impression he made!

Just four minutes into the second period, the new number 15 took a lovely pass from Ray Savada before shooting the puck glove side on Benny Bowns to give the Giants a 2-1 lead.

Recently, I have discovered the wonder that is HTMI cables and am now forcing my entire family to watch the joy that is the Cardiff Devils on the big TV in the living room.  Good job too, because my laptop screen would not have done Josh Batch justice in that second period on Saturday night!

With a right and a left and another right, Josh had me on my feet in my living room, cheering as he showed Adam Keefe he could not push us around anymore.  For the past couple of seasons, Keefe has been the guy we all hate to love – coming into the BBT and showing us who is boss.  But from the looks of things on Saturday night, our young Brits are not going to stand for it anymore.

All I can say is, well done Batchy!

Despite spirits being lifted as the blood fell from Keefe’s eyebrow,  the Devils suffered through two quick Giants’ powerplay goals as Tyson Marsh sat for slashing.  Unfortunately for Bowns, the second goal (from Saurette at 29:00) saw him out of his net trying to retrieve the puck – which took an unlucky bounce and ended up at the end of Saurette’s stick in front of an empty net. 

But we are never down and out!  After a horrible hit from behind on Andrew Hotham, Darryl Lloyd was awarded a 5+game, giving the Devils a five minute powerplay.  Man of the Weekend (forget man of the match! Although he did win that twice this past weekend…) Dougie Clarkson took full advantage and shot the puck home to lessen the deficit to two!

The Department of Player Safety reviewed Lloyd’s penalty and he was served with a one-match ban – leaving him out of Sunday’s rematch.

(Any information on the decision and a video explanation can be found here: http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/one-match-ban-for-lloyd-p194631)

Ray Savada continued the Giants’ scoring streak at the beginning of the third period, assisted by Robby Sandrock and Mark Garside with just twenty six seconds played.

Captain Adam Keefe, Barbie plaster on his brow (kidding!), also pushed one past GB netminder Ben Bowns, forcing Bench Coach Neil Francis to pull the goalie and replace him with backup Mike Will – making his season debut for the Devils.

Despite the 6-2 deficit for the visiting side, our boys were determined to have one more go.  With less than ten minutes left in the game, no. 93 got his second goal of the night, while Calvin Elfring sat for delay of game, before Captain Tyson Marsh added the Devils’ fourth goal just a few minutes later.

With four minutes left to play, there was certainly time for the Welsh side to turn things around – we’ve seen them do it!  But, while the Devils’ did outshoot the Giants in the final period, the bounces were not going their way and Kevin Saurette finished off the game with an empty net goal with just over a minute left to play.

On the bright side, Mike Will finished the game with a 1.00 SV%.... Silver linings eh?

With only the plane ride home to dwell, 6pm Sunday came around quickly and everyone was ready for some revenge. 

Both teams were icing short benched – Hudson, Culligan and Martin missing for the Devils, and Kompon, McCutcheon, Murphy and Lloyd missing for the Giants – but this certainly did not effect the intensity of the game!

As always, the Devils’ opened strong, throwing hit after hit – if it moved, it was going to be buried into the boards!  With his strong lead from the front ethos, Coach Andrew Lord demonstrated that we would not be giving an inch, let alone a mile!

Unfortunately, Darnell (our lovely ref for the weekend – not!) took offense to a couple of Lord’s hits and he found himself in the box twice before they’d even played more than half a period! 

While the rest of the first period was relatively quiet – despite the high intensity of both teams – but all that tension came boiling over the top at the beginning of the second. 

Kevin Westgarth was warmly welcomed into the BBT, by the Devils’ captain Tyson Marsh’s right hook, after Westgarth laid cancer-fighting Dr. Luke Piggot into the boards with a particularly hard hit.  While no. 15 is considered to be one of the toughest guys in the game (meaning that Lloyd has got someone to watch his back when he upsets people now), there was no way Marsh was letting him off for that one.  Westgarth had already tried to nail the Devils’ defenseman a couple of times without success, adding to the tension between the two Canadians.

Most would give the win to Westgarth for this one, but Tyson should definitely get major points for defending the doctor!

With tensions slightly satisfied, it was back to business.  Like the previous night, Belfast took the lead, with a goal from none other than Kevin Westgarth himself – his second goal of the weekend – at 33:31.

But the Welsh side had the crowd on their side, and Matt Myers rewarded the fans with an equaliser, nineteen seconds before the period break!

Things were neck and neck going into the final period and both teams were desperate to get that go-ahead goal!  Hell, I was desperate for that go-ahead goal!

I was quite impressed that I didn’t throw my dinner all over the floor when Joey Haddad sent the puck flying behind Andrew Dickson (who looked slightly nervous as he tripped onto the ice at the beginning of warm-ups – and yes, he literally tripped over as he stepped onto the ice!  The game hadn’t even started and he was giving the Red Army ammunition!), giving the Devils’ their first lead of the game.

And you know I could see Doug’s smile from Hereford when he added the Devils’ third goal of the night, and his third goal of the weekend!!  Despite taking a lot of criticism at the beginning of the season, Doug Clarkson has really stepped into his role in the BBT and now has seven goals so far this season, whilst demonstrating he will not be pushed around!  In my opinion, he definitely deserved the MOM awards this weekend.

3-1 up and it was looking good for the Devils coming into the second half of the final period; Bowns was holding his own and the forecheck was strong. 

Despite Devils’ pressure, David Phillips managed to slip one past Bowns to bring Belfast within and suddenly it was all about defense!  Both Josh Batch (roughing @ 454:48) and Trevor Hendrikx (cross-checking @ 58:54) took unfortunate penalties in the closing minutes and in the final seconds and Dickson was pulled to create a 6-on-4 situation for the Devils. 

All that mattered was blocking shot after shot until the buzzer sounded – I haven’t been that nervous since watching the final seconds of Game 7 in 2009! 

Luckily time ran down, and with it ran the Devils’ with their two league points!

Looking forward to this coming weekend, the Devils’ are off to Nottingham on Saturday, where they face a Panthers’ team sans Nathan Robinson after his departure this week. 

Sunday sees the return of Chris Blight and Brad Plumton as the Stars come to town.

With the wonders of the Internet, there is no reason to miss either fixture!  Make sure you’re watching!!!

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 @ 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!

Cardiff Devils vs Sheffield Steelers Double-Header 01/12/2012-02/12/2012 (L/CC)

Saturday 1st December - MotorPoint Arena (L)
   
     Devils 3, Steelers 2 - Final

Sunday 2nd December - Cardiff Bay Arena (CC)

    Devils 7, Steelers 6 - SO Final


  Saturday night saw a travelling Red Army, as the Devils headed up to Sheffield for the first of a two part double header.  With new-old-signing Mark Richardson back in a Devils' jersey and fan favourite Max 'Boom Boom' Birbraer back from suspension, it was sure to be a great match.

  The Devils started off slowly, going behind just six minutes in  - Ashley Tait the scorer for the home side.  The Steelers continued on and added a second a few minutes later, Drew Fata scoring on the power play after Devils' no. 24 Devin Didiomete was sent to the box for tripping.  Jason Hewitt also took a trip to the box for hooking at 1040, but Cardiff didn't get on the board until 1825, when Birbraer announced his return in style.

  As normal, the second showed a slower side to the team, and two penalties - the captain for slashing and the bench for too many men.  Despite gaining the advantage twice, the Steelers failed to capitalise and the score remained at 2-1 going into the third.

  It was all about the visitors in the third, with Cardiff scoring twice to take the lead, and eventually the game.  Despite the probable agitation he felt for a 'Simmsey slip-up' on his name,  MAC Faulkner scored two gaols in ten minutest to earn himself MOM and the Devils' those all important league points.

  With a jubilant attitude which can only come from a fantastic win the night before, the Devils' welcomed the Steelers in the BBT on Sunday for a challenge cup match up - despite being unable to progress no matter what the final score.

  For the fans that made the trip up on Saturday they would have experienced a bit of deja vu, with the Steelers taking the lead six minutes in.  With Birbaer out with an ankle injury, despite only returning from suspension the day before, the Devils were looking a bit slow.  But after Sheffield's Thomas was sent to the box for holding, Ben Davies levelled the score on the power play with seven minutes left to play in the first.

  Despite being held off to just the one goal in the first, Sheffield came out fighting, scoring a short handed goal two minutes in - whilst Tait sat in the box for tripping on behalf of Decaro.  With the score at 2-1 in favour of the Steelers, and the outcome of little consequence to the Devils, Osaer was replaced with Joe Myers, who received a large cheer as he stepped into the net.

  Ref Dean Smith saw some abuse and saw fit to throw Stephenson a ten minute misconduct at 2825, giving captain Stuart MacRae the chance to level the tally on the power play.  Fata regained the lead for the visitors but again Macrae pulled it back before Tyson Marsh gave the Devils their first lead of the game just before the buzzer rang, the home side taking a 4-3 lead into the final period.

  Phil Hill continued the momentum for Cardiff, extending their lead to two, before Hewitt brought on back for the English side.  With just seven minutes left in the period, Limpright and Shields scored two in quick succession to retake the lead.  But with a lucky turn of events MacRae added his hat tick goal in the final minus to force a very tense overtime - in which neither team managed to score the winner.

  So off to penalties it was and a nervous Red Army were watching with baited breath.  After several misses and a goal each for MacRae and Shields, it was up to Blight and he didn't disappoint.

 7-6 SO the final score and a pair of wins over the Steelers for Cardiff.  Let's 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 @ 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 vs Coventry Blaze: Disciplinary Findings

Sunday night saw two counts of disappointment for Cardiff Devils’ fans; after two hard fought games, the Coventry Blaze stripped the Devils of four crucial challenge cup points.  Unfortunately, the blunders did not end at the final buzzer.

Tension rose during the third, with Devils’ forward Max Birbraer being assessed for a match penalty, after a check to the head on Blaze defenseman Benn Olson, at 12.26.  For this Birbraer received an automatic five match ban, and was thrown out of the game.  The Elite League Disciplinary Council have confirmed this ban and ruled that it cannot be appealed.

As the conflict escalated after the final buzzer, during the tradition team handshakes, Birbraer was awarded an addition match penalty for leaving the dressing room after being thrown out of the game and rejoining the action on the ice, earning himself, originally, an extra game ban.  However, on deliberation, the Disciplinary Council have ruled that leaving the dressing room constitutes an automatic three match ban, increasing Birbraer’s total ban to eight matches.  As with number 23’s original match penalty, the Cardiff Devils Organisation cannot appeal against the ruling.

Fan favourite Devin Didiomete of the Cardiff Devils also received a match ban in all the action.  After receiving a fighting major and being escorted off the ice, Didiomete came to the defense of his bench coach, Neil Francis, and rejoined the altercation.  This led to him being assessed for leaving the dressing room, resulting in a three match ban that has been confirmed by the Elite League.  As with Birbraer’s penalties, Didiomete cannot appeal against this ruling.

With two of their power forwards out, Cardiff did not need any more misfortune.  Unfortunately, bench coach Neil Francis has been included in the penalised and been given a match/game penalty for travesty in the game, leading to a one match ban.  In addition to this, the Elite League have extended Francis’ ban by four games, his total ban lasting over five games. 

So, in total, the Welsh side will lose Birbraer for eight games, Didiomete for three and Francis for five, putting the Devils at an extreme disadvantage over the course of the following games.

On the other hand, after being at the centre of the controversy and engaging in an extremely unnecessary exchange with a Cardiff fan, who has now had his game privileges revoked for the remainder of the 2012/2013 season and all following seasons until 2017, was assessed a match penalty for incident with a spectator.  It has been decided the penalty is unjustified, therefore has been removed from Olson’s records and no further action will be taken.

Coventry received no other match/game penalties or bans during the event.

In addition to all bans and penalties mentioned above, the Elite League are further reviewing incidents that took place off-ice on Sunday night and will present their findings and a further statement in due course.  For comments from the Elite League on the penalties awarded, click on the link below to go to the official statement:

http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/elite-league-discipline-p179983

To view any and all statements made by the Cardiff Devils’ Organisation, click the links below:

http://www.cardiffdevils.com/news/devils-news/cardiff-devils-club-statement/

http://www.cardiffdevils.com/news/devils-news/cardiff-devils-club-acts-following-altercations-after-sunday-s-game/

http://www.cardiffdevils.com/news/devils-news/elite-league-and-investigation-update/

Cardiff Devils @ Coventry Blaze (CC) 27/10/2012

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!

Cardiff Devils @ Dundee Stars 03/03/2012

  Coming off a nail-biting win in Braehead the previous night, Cardiff were off to Dundee on Saturday night to continue their Scottish double header.  Fully capable of playing a four point weekend, the Devils were determined to show the Scots what they have got.

  Devils took the lead early on in the first, with MOM Stuart MacRae getting his first of three.  Unfortunately, Jarrett Knockle followed soon after, evening up the score.  McGoff followed after, getting the Stars second of the night on the powerplay, after both Gerad Adams and Chris Frank, who hadn’t played the previous night due to suspension, had been sent to the box; Frank for slashing and Adams for fighting after going a round with MOM Zarb.  The period ended 2-1 Devils, with words being traded between the two teams as they headed down the tunnel.

  Despite the tempo of the first period, the second passed with not much action, a few minor penalties at most.  Powerplays passed unsuccessfully and both teams were getting frustrated.  The whistle blew for the end of the second and the score was still 2-1.

  Teams came out for the third, and it seemed like the Stars were on a roll.  Within eight minutes of being on the ice, they were continuing the success from the first period, with McLean scoring Dundee’s third goal of the night.  But that wasn’t going to stop the Devils.  They were playing a clean, physical game (despite what was being said on twitter), and it was bound to pay off eventually.  The time came, and in great succession the Devils’ managed to level the score and finally take the lead.  With the Stars taking a succession of three penalties, the Devils’ were determined to take advantage, with Vanderveeken and MacRae tallying powerplay goals within minutes of each other.  

  With the score level, both teams were now pushing for that all important winner.  Things looked dim when the Devils’ took an unnecessary penalty, in the form of Josh Batch for hooking, but our top line was determined.  With just under two minutes remaining, Captain Stuart MacRae managed to score his hatrick goal, shorthanded, to win the game for Cardiff.

  Final score 4-3 Devils, and Cardiff now have a day off, and a full week to prepare for their clash with rivals Coventry Blaze on Saturday 10^th, when the Blaze come to visit the BBT.  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/@ 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!