Newcastle Vipers v Cardiff Devils - Saturday 05/09

On Saturday the Devils started their league campaign with the long trip to Newcastle for a weekend double-header in the North-East. Missing from the squad was Jason Stone after his operation at the start of the week, but Jay Latulippe, Tyler Michel, and Scott Romfo had all arrived in time to make the journey. Adams moved back onto D to cover Stone and Jamie Hayes took his place on the third line. Newcastle were without new import defenceman Ryan Mahrle who will miss the first couple of weeks due to his imminent wedding.

Debutant Michel made the biggest impact in a goalless first period, first sending a Viper to the ice with a mid-ice check before getting a 2 minute penalty for elbows at 18:21. Though the Devils killed off that penalty successfully, when Jarvis was penalised for tripping midway through the second period, ex-Devil Matus Petricko opened the scoring for Newcastle on the powerplay at 29:46.

Devils fought back and when they were given their own powerplay chance after a highsticks call against Krajl, Scott Romfo fired a slapshot from the blueline through netminder Robinson’s legs for a goal on his debut. Cardiff stepped up the pressure and were unlucky not to finish the period in the lead after Mike Hartwick saw his shot bounce back off the post in the final minute.

It looked to be a costly miss when a goal from Griffith at 44:01 regained the lead for Newcastle. The Devils then started to face the wrath of referee Moray Hanson and when Matt Miller and Jay Latulippe were both sent to the bin within 20 seconds of each other, it was only a matter of time before the Vipers took advantage of their 5-on-3 powerplay. Jason Tejchma finding the back of the net at 45:05.

Coach Gerad Adams called a 30 second time out and it seemed to do the trick. With Krajl sitting in the bin, Mark Smith picked up his own rebound and fed Max Birbraer to force the puck home at the far post at 51:02. Sensing the game was turning in their favour, the Devils continued to attack at every opportunity and when the Vipers defence failed to clear the puck from the crease, Phil Hill was on the spot to poke the puck over the line and tie the game 3-3 at 56:43.

From this point on it was the Devils creating the best chances and had it not been some great saves by Robinson, would have sealed the win before the game eventually went to a penalty shoot-out.

Mark Smith went first and he scored, a feat that was matched by Todd Griffith for the Vipers. Jay Latulippe and David Longstaff both saw their shots saved, but after Max Birbraer scored his penalty shot, Stevie Lyle saved Jason Tejchma’s attempt to seal the Devils first win of the season.