Weekend in Review 8th - 9th October

Cardiff Devils @ Fife Flyers 08/10/11
Devils 4 - 2 Flyers

  Just like last Saturday, the Cardiff Devils traveled up to Scotland, this time ready to face the Fife Flyers.  After a not so successful trip last weekend, everyone was hoping that tonight would be different.  Missing from the Devils' line-up tonight is Canadian defensemen Mark Smith, with Scott Makza back in the line-up after missing  the Devils' win over the Braehead Clan on Sunday, in the BBT.  Flyers missing starting goaltender Garrett Zemlak, and defensemen Thomas Muir.

  The game started out with end to end action.  Both Stevie Lyle and Flyers' back-up tender Blair Daly saw some shots in the only 10 minutes.  Apart from that, there wasn't much going on, until about the seven minute mark, when Cardiff defensemen Chris Frank was sent to the box for slashing.  Devils killed the penalty and continued with the game... only for Frank to be sent back to the box on an inference call.  This came about when a Flyers' player took a shot, Lyle saved it, and the Flyers' player took a tumble.  Before the two-minute penalty was over, Frank was joined by Jeff Pierce in the box, as the Devils were called up for too many men on the ice.  Although shorthanded the Devils made some excellent plays, with the likes of young Brit Ben Davies coming close to scoring.  Much like with the first penalty, the Devils killed it off and continued on.

  Just over five minutes after the last penalty, power forward Phil Hill managed to get one past Daly, who, up until that point, had been staying strong in between the pipes, despite being a back-up goaltender.  Assists went out to Captain Stuart MacRae and Chris Frank, who was well on course for a Gorgie Howe hat-trick; unfortunately we didn't get one.  The Devils continued to shoot at the goal, tallying fourteen shots to the Flyers' seven, but Daly held strong for the remainder of the period.  Score at the end of the first, 1-0 Devils.

  Into the second, and the Flyers' were desperate to even the score.  They tried taking out key Devils' players, such as Jeff Pierce and Chris Frank, but even this couldn't help.  At 31:49, new signing Josh Batch scored his first goal for the Devils, with the assists going to Brad Voth and Stuart MacRae.  There was a small case of handbags after the goal, but no penalties came of it.  Due to a fumble by the Flyers' goaltender, Jeff Pierce managed to put the Devils up 3-0 all before fifteen minutes had passed.

  Despite being down 3-0, Fife weren't giving up.  After many botched attempts, Danny Stewart succeeded in getting his team their first goal, at 38:54.  There were also several minor penalties, two at the same time for Cardiff resulting in a 5-on-3 that gave Fife their goal.  However, this is nothing compared to what was happening in the BBT, where the ENL Devils were playing Invicta.  It was said to be carnage in Cardiff, with fights all over the place, and many players getting thrown out; the second period was abandoned with three minutes left, but those were played after everyone calmed down.  They went straight into third period after playing final three of the second period.  In Fife, the second period ended 3-1 Devils.

  After finishing the second period, unlike the ENL Devils, the Cardiff Devils were raring to go when coming out for the third.  Despite this, the Flyers' managed to pull the game back to one goal, courtesy of Mike Hamilton, at 41:09.  There were a few minor penalties throughout the period, but neither side could capitalise on the advantage.  MOM Blair Daly looked like he had seen off the Cardiff Devils, until 53 seconds before the end of the period, when Scott Matzka slid a final Devils' goal passed him, making the final score Devils 4, Flyers 2.

  It's nice to see the Devils winning in Scotland!  Let's hope that the long trip home, on the 'blane' as Max calls it, doesn't make the guys too tired to play against the Steelers, in the BBT tomorrow night; FO is at 6pm.  Let's Go Devils!

Cardiff Devils vs Sheffield Steelers 09/10/11
Devils 2 - 3 Steelers- SO Final

  Back in Cardiff tonight and the Devils welcome former Devils Ryan Finnerty and the Sheffield Steelers into the BBT.  The last time the Steelers were in town, Cardiff managed a 4-0 win, but, on the return trip the next day, lost out on a four point weekend with a 5-3 defeat.  Everyone was hoping for a repeat of the first game!

  Throughout the first period, both Stevie Lyle and John DeCaro saw their fair share of shots.  Devils' 93, Jeff Pierce, was just one of the many attempting to best DeCaro but he was having none of it.  It seemed like our own Stevie Lyle had adopted the same attitude, having no trouble holding the Steelers at bay. The first twenty saw several penalties, three for each side.  Sheffield were penalized for two hooking calls, and a diving call, the last one aimed at ex-Devils' captain Ryan Finnerty.  Cardiff were shorthanded due to a controversial interference call, as well as charging and cross-checking.  Despite the Steelers apparently getting one in the back of the net, the period ended 0-0, as Darnell waves off the only 'goal' of the period.

  The second period was slightly more eventful.  Although there were half as many penalties, the scoreboard was lit up three times throughout the twenty minutes.  The first, both of the game and for the Steelers, came from Rodney Sarich, from Tait and Ramsay, who is usually a thorn in the Devils' sides.  The second, following shortly after, was also a Steelers' goal, came from Lee Esders, assists going to Tait and Finnerty.  Finally, the Devils managed to get their first goal of the night, coming from Phil Hill, who also scored the first goal in last night's win over Fife, with help from Adams.  This goal came as a result of an increase in the intensity of play by the Devils, after Player/Coach Gerad Adams called a time out, obviously being disappointed in the play.  It seemed like the pep-talk worked the magic intended as the Devils were a different side.  Unfortunately, DeCaro held strong for the final minutes of the second and the period finished 2-1 Steelers.

  Time for the third period and the Devils were determined to level the score.  After nearly a whole period's hard work and determination, Scott Dobben managed to score the equalizer.  With many penalties being called as well, it was an interesting period.  Despite many attempts on goal, for both teams, and the goal light being lit several times behind DeCaro, the period ended 2-2, as Darnell waved several 'goals'.

  Into overtime and the play was just as intense.  Frank got himself a 5+game for slashing at Finnerty.  It was said that Finnerty made a comment to cause Frank to lash out; it must have been something major considering the reaction.  Neither could finish the game, even though Sheffield had the advantage and the game went to shootout.

  Up for Cardiff were Birbraer, Pierce and MacRae, who all missed their shots.  Up for Sheffield were Ramsay and Birnstill.  Birnstill missed his shot but Ramsay scored his second, meaning that Birbraer would have to score his second to keep the Devils in the game.  Unfortunately Max missed and the Devils lost.  Final score 3-2 Steelers.

  Next game at the BBT is on Saturday, against the Belfast Giants.  FO is at 7pm, don't be late to watch the Devils take on former Devils Jon Pelle and the Giants!  Let's Go Devils!