Blaze Vs Devils - Challenge Cup 27th Sep

Coventry Blaze 4 Cardiff Devils 6 (Challenge Cup Group B)

The Devils put a downer on the Blaze’s pyjama party at the Skydome in Coventry Sunday night. 

Despite their uniforms looking more at home at a night of milk, cookies, and a scary movie, the Blaze played their full part in delivering a high energy spectacle for fans.

In this battle of two highly potent offences, it was the Devils that prevailed. In doing so, Cardiff maintained its record of having never lost a first competitive game of the season against Coventry, but more importantly secured a crucial away win in the Challenge Cup group stage.

It was the Devils’ depth of scoring that proved crucial once again as three of the five goals scored on Peter Hirsch came from forwards who will play on the Devils third line once suspended captain Brad Voth returns.

Tylor Michel scored 2 key goals, while player coach Gerad Adams also found the net.  Michel opened the scoring with a tip from a Scott Romfo point shot at 9.43 and then scored the eventual game winner at 31.42 following a turnover in the Blaze zone to make it 5-2.

Michel’s first goal was followed by a Mark Richardson powerplay goal, but the Blaze pulled it back to 2-1 by the end of the first period with a powerplay goal of their own.

Matt Miller scored at 25.34 (his first of two goals) when the Devils were on a 5 on 3 advantage.

Coventry responded through Jason Robinson before Adams and Michel hit their second period goals.

Russ Cowley narrowed the gap when he made it 5-3. This was also Coventry’s third goal on the powerplay and this trend continued when Dan Carlson scored at 57.53 shortly after Hirsch was pulled for the extra skater. 

However, the Blaze couldn’t force a second goal with Hirsch pulled and when Matt Millar scored into the empty net at 58.45, the tie was as good as done.

While the Devils’ powerplay continues to impress, they will be aiming to improve on the penalty kill, having conceded all four goals when a man down.

Nevertheless, the Devils now have a big opportunity to qualify from their Challenge Cup group with this away win and will be looking to cement that position with a home win over the highly skilled Nottingham Panthers tonight in the Bay. 

Game Winning Goal Tylor Michel
Winning Goaltender – Stevie Lyle
Losing Goaltender – Peter Hirsch
 
Period Scores: 1-2, 2-3, 1-1
Penalty Mins: Cov 24 - Car 28
Powerplay: Cov 3/8 - Car 2/6
Shots On: Peter Hirsch 33 + 1 ENG - Stevie Lyle 34
Referee: Andy Carson