Devils v Steelers - 05/03 @ 16:00 - CC Final - Chat/Updates
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
Fantastic atmosphere created by both sets of fans throughout the game but especially at the start.
Cardiff started the better with Sheffield seemingly wanting to tire their opponents physically. A strange plan considering it was Sheffield that played the night before. And when two of their players went for big hits off the puck it gave the Devils and odd man rush. Nobody was there to pick up Fournier and he fired into the roof of the net for the opener.
Cardiff had chances to double their lead but a series of powerplays helped Sheffield got back into the game and eventually they found their equaliser. The referees seemed to be letting as much go as possible but then a harsh Too Many Men penalty was called despite nobody touching the puck as it went past the boards. Steelers scored on the resulting PP and finished the period the stronger.
From the start of the second period though the Devils dominated. Sheffield barely got out of their own zone and it was left to Mustukovs to stop the Devils equalising. It was starting to look like it might be one of those frustrating nights but with a couple of minutes left in the 2nd a shot from the point was tipped by Louis and into the net.
Third period was pretty much the same story. Sheffield had dropped to two and a bit lines and their tiredness was starting to tell. Devils were forcing them into turnover after turnover in their own zone and three minutes into the final period Ulmer scored to give the Devils the lead.
If any team looked like scoring again it was Cardiff. Sheffield's best chance came on the PK when they were gifted a breakaway but Bowns made a huge glove save to tip the puck over the bar.
Sheffield got another fortunate PP with three minutes remaining but it was one of the worst PPs I've seen. I'm not sure they managed a single shot on target during it, much to the annoyance of their fans.
Mustukovs was pulled for the final minute and Sheffield did create a couple of chances but the Devils managed to clear the zone with 5 seconds left for a deserved victory.
Cardiff started the better with Sheffield seemingly wanting to tire their opponents physically. A strange plan considering it was Sheffield that played the night before. And when two of their players went for big hits off the puck it gave the Devils and odd man rush. Nobody was there to pick up Fournier and he fired into the roof of the net for the opener.
Cardiff had chances to double their lead but a series of powerplays helped Sheffield got back into the game and eventually they found their equaliser. The referees seemed to be letting as much go as possible but then a harsh Too Many Men penalty was called despite nobody touching the puck as it went past the boards. Steelers scored on the resulting PP and finished the period the stronger.
From the start of the second period though the Devils dominated. Sheffield barely got out of their own zone and it was left to Mustukovs to stop the Devils equalising. It was starting to look like it might be one of those frustrating nights but with a couple of minutes left in the 2nd a shot from the point was tipped by Louis and into the net.
Third period was pretty much the same story. Sheffield had dropped to two and a bit lines and their tiredness was starting to tell. Devils were forcing them into turnover after turnover in their own zone and three minutes into the final period Ulmer scored to give the Devils the lead.
If any team looked like scoring again it was Cardiff. Sheffield's best chance came on the PK when they were gifted a breakaway but Bowns made a huge glove save to tip the puck over the bar.
Sheffield got another fortunate PP with three minutes remaining but it was one of the worst PPs I've seen. I'm not sure they managed a single shot on target during it, much to the annoyance of their fans.
Mustukovs was pulled for the final minute and Sheffield did create a couple of chances but the Devils managed to clear the zone with 5 seconds left for a deserved victory.
Just a note on the game, I thought the reffing of the final was shambolic. To award a holding call on us with 2 minutes left was a joke. It was blatantly obvious that the Steeler was holding back Cul on the blueline to stop the 2 on 1 going the otherway. The "tripping" call on Louis in the first was more a case of a player diving out of the way of getting hammered. Probably a good thing because he wasn't going to wake up if he collided, it was huge.
We were sat just behind the benches and the Steelers had 6 men on the ice twice for about 10 seconds before a defender realized. They also got away with changing players on an icing call. I've honestly never seen such piss poor bench management from their coaching and reffing alike.
Oh and a last note, Mustukovs put in one of the finest performances i've ever seen in this league. He was unreal all night. He really didn't deserve to lose.
We were sat just behind the benches and the Steelers had 6 men on the ice twice for about 10 seconds before a defender realized. They also got away with changing players on an icing call. I've honestly never seen such piss poor bench management from their coaching and reffing alike.
Oh and a last note, Mustukovs put in one of the finest performances i've ever seen in this league. He was unreal all night. He really didn't deserve to lose.
