ENL Devils Weekend Action

ENL DEVILS 6-1 STREATHAM REDSKINS

Coming into a tough weekend which saw the Devils take on recently improved Streatham Redskins at Cardiff, and on the road against the big, physical Bracknell Hornets, the Devils wanted to continue their recent form and extent their 10 game unbeaten streak to 11 games.

Having won a tough 4-2 game in Streatham last time out, the Devils knew this would not be the easy 23-3 win they had earlier this season. The Redskins brought a big lineup, possibly the most players they have ever brought to Cardiff, so the Devils knew they had come to play. The game started fast and hard as both teams played physical and the Devils controlled most of the play.  Cardiff opened the scoring through Chris Jones early in the period while Jamie Dancey added another before the first break.

The Devils started the 2nd period intending to put away the redskins early and end any hope of a comeback. The Devils seemed to start slow in the 2nd, and to spite controlling most of the play again, didn’t create many chances, and seemed to have let off the gas, resulting in a no-goal 2nd for the Devils. Streatham hung on desperately in the 2nd their perseverance paid off as they scored mid way through the 2nd period from a Louis Lockwood wrist shot to close the lead to 2-1. The only fight of the game broke out in the 2nd as Steve Fisher took exception to a hook from Redskin player Russ Stevens. After a push and a shove by both men the gloves came off and both exchanged punches in a decent tilt that ended with Fisher edging the fight with Stevens going down to the ice.

Going into the 3rd the Devils seemed to get the wake up call they needed to close the game out and take the 2 points as they came out strong and fast much like the 1st period, and they managed to score 4 unanswered goals from Dan Madge, Chris Hart, Dan Bowers and Ben Davies. The Redskins had little answer for the Devils in the 3rd but played till the end and had it not been for Will Sanderson in the Streatham net, the game could have been a blowout as Sanderson made some outstanding saves in the 3rd earning himself man of the match for Streatham, whilst Dan Madge's solid performance earned him MOM for Cardiff.

So the Devils win 6-1 and extend their winning streak to 9 games going into Bracknell and looking to keep the streak alive.

Match Stats:
Devils Scorers:  Chris Hart, Jamie Dancey, Chris Hart, Dan Madge, Dan Bowers & Ben Davies
Period Scores: 2-0, 1-0, 4-0  - Man of Match: Dan Madge

BRACKNELL HORNETS 5-2 ENL DEVILS

The Devils travelled to Bracknell with a strong team and on the back of a double header weekend which saw them win the first game 6-1 against Streatham at home the previous night. The Devils came in 11 games unbeaten and on a 9 game win streak. Bracknell are a big physical team, who play well at home and promised to be a tough opponent  for the Devils.

The game started slow as both teams were feeling eachother out and taking their time to settle into the game.  As the pace picked up, both teams had chances but it was Craig Tribe who finally buried the first of the game for Bracknell as Ben Duggans shot deflected off of Tribe's skate and into the net, with a second assist going to James Galazzi. The 2nd period ended 1-0 with everything to play for in the 2nd.

The second period saw both teams come out and a similar period to the first, although Bracknell were the better team creating better scoring chances, however Mike Brabon, played great between the Cardiff pipes and kept everything out to give the Devils every chance to get back into the game. The game continued its physical form and the game seemed to be getting quite heated, which set up for a more entertaining period of the game with the 2nd ending 1-0 with neither team able to capitalise on their scoring chances.

The 3rd period started much the same, with Bracknell pressuring the Cardiff end. Tribe added his 2nd of the game scoring just 2.32 into the period to give Bracknell a 2-0 lead from Dubyk and Avery. Cardiff   seemed to have a little more jump now and Luke Piggott opened the scoring for Cardiff as he went to the net and eventually banged the puck in to make it 2-1.

The period had started fast and continued at that pace as Craig Tribe completed his has trick at 46.54 with assists to Galazzi and Avery.

Less than a minute later, Brad Watchorn scored to make it 4-1 and the hornets were running away with the game. Finally the first fight of the game which had been brewing for a while broke out as Devils captain David James, squared off at center ice with James Galazzi.  Both  men exchanged blows in a fairly even fight which would be tough to place a winner, but a good honest fight.  Just about 10 minutes later, Bracknell capped off their scoring for the night with Ben Johnson's first goal in 7 years.

The game was as good as finished when tempers flared again, this time Cardiff's Steve Fisher dropped the gloves with Alex Barker and a one sided affair saw Fisher dominate, until Bracknell tough guy Brad Watchorn left the Cardiff bench and sucker punched Fisher several times in defence of his teammate. Cardiff goalie Brabon came to the aid of Fisher getting in between him and Watchorn.

Fisher, Watchorn and Ben Duggan who was also involved in the melee were ejected from the game.  Devils will now be without Fisher for 3 games, including both important Oxford games at the end of this month. 

The game was over, but the Devils had one goal left as Ricky Deacon scored at 59.59 on the powerplay to make the final score a disappointing 5-2 win for Bracknell.

Bracknell's fifth goal scorer Ben Johnson with his first in 7 years earned MOM for Bracknell while Cardiffs Luke Piggott received the beers for the Devils.

Match Stats:
Devils Scorers:  Luke Piggott & Ricky Deacon
Period Scores: 1-0, 0-0, 4-2  - Man of Match: Luke Piggott