Weekend in Review - Devils Vs Steelers

SATURDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2011
Cardiff Devils Vs Sheffield Steelers 17/09/11

Devils 4 – 0 Steelers

The boys are back!  After being shot out in the shoot-out last weekend, the Devils sure did show the League what they are made of tonight!  With former captain Ryan Finnerty back in the BBT with his new team, the Steelers, it was sure to be an interesting night; it definitely didn't disappoint.

  From penalties to goals, fights to saves, this game had it all.  From earlier on it was clear that the guys in red meant business.  For most of the night, every Devils' fan in the BBT was on their feet.  Just three minutes into the game, power forward Phil Hill started the ball, or puck, rolling.  With the help of Canadian Brad Voth, Hill managed to give the Devils a one-goal lead.  The next ten minutes saw a couple of minor penalties, before the Devils hit out again.  The second goal, also scored by the British silver medallist Phil Hill, came in the twelfth minute of the first period.  After a couple of interference penalties on Sheffield, Cardiff soon found themselves on another power play.  Thankfully, after a couple of extra practices last week, the guys have got their PP skills back up and took advance of their extra players.  Third goal came from number 93, Jeff Pierce, at 19:46 in the first.

  While the first period saw the majority of the goals, the second saw the first of the interesting penalties.  After witnessing former-Devil Ryan Finnerty have words with new signing Scott Dobben in the first, everyone knew this would be a physical game.  With Voth not having dropped the gloves yet this season, it will only be a matter of time.  Unfortunately for all fans who wanted to see the two toughest guys in the league go at it, Voth stayed clear of the fighting majors tonight, although he did get a few hard checks in through the night.  No, in tonight's game, it was all about Frank the Tank.  And let's just say that Frank was tanking it out there on the ice.  He and the Steeler’s King both got five minutes majors in the second, although the fight did not look over by any means.  No goals came in the second, so the period finished 3-0 Devils.

  After dominating the first forty minutes, the Devils were not going to let anything get in their way.  With their lead already at three, the Devils sought to get just one more to cement the victory.  Their wish was granted at 43:01, when Brad Voth slid a fourth and final goal past DeCaro.  Final score: Devils 4, Steelers 0.

  Collecting the much needed two points has put Cardiff back on track, and Brad Voth collected the Devils' MOM award.  All in all, a great night for the Red Army.  Let's hope that Wales don't disappoint tomorrow morning.  Next game is tomorrow night, up in Sheffield, for the rematch!   Let's Go Devils!

SUNDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2011
Cardiff Devils @ Sheffield Steelers 18/09/11
Steelers 5 – 3 Devils

Coming off a 4-0 victory over the Steelers last night, everything seemed right for the Cardiff Devils tonight. Heading up to Sheffield with high hopes for a four-point weekend, everyone was excited.  With the Wales Rugby Team beating Samoa this morning, it was destined to be a Welsh Weekend; unfortunately, not everything could go our way.

  As they have for the last few games, things started out well.  1:49 in the first period, young Brit Ben Davies set fellow Brit Sam Smith up with an incredible pass, and he put it in the back of the net, giving the Devils a 1-0 lead earlier on.  The first continued with many chances for both teams, and several minor penalties for both teams.  Despite a couple of power-plays, the Devils couldn't extend their lead, but also managed to fend off the Steelers on the few power-plays they got, Stevie Lyle making some amazing saves.  First period ended 1-0 Devils.

  The second saw the Steelers hit back with two goals of their own.  Their first, both in the period and in the game, was scored by new Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty, with the second coming from Clark five minutes later, making the score 2-1.  But the Devils weren't beaten yet.  Just over two minutes after Clark slid one past Lyle, Phil Hill, who had a great night last night after netting two of the Devils' four goals, broke away whilst shorthanded and managed to lift the puck past DeCaro.  With the score now level, both teams were fighting for that extra goal.  Luckily for the Red Army, it came off the stick of Devils' Man of the Match, number 93, Jeff Pierce.  Second period finished 3-2 Devils.

  In came the third and out went the Devils.  Leading the game 3-2, all the Devils had to do was hold on for twenty minutes.  And they did a good job of trying for the first twelve.  Unfortunately, at 52:07, Jason Hewitt equalized for Sheffield.  With their luck turning, the Steelers were on a roll.  Despite the Devils' defence trying their hardest, and doing well for the most, Mike Ramsey also slotted one passed Lyle, just over a minute after Hewitt.  For the last seven minutes, Cardiff tried their damnedest to get through the Steeler’s defence and passed DeCaro, but unfortunately DeCaro was a brick wall!  Just to round off the night, Steeler’s RW Ramsay added a second to his tally, whilst the Steelers were shorthanded.  Final score Devils 3, Steelers 5.

  Despite the score on the board at the end of the sixty minutes, the Devils are definitely playing better.  Two points is better than none.  Next game is on Saturday, back at the BBT, where the Stingrays will be coming to town!  Turns out we may even have Max back!  Let's Go Devils