Solid and comfortable win for the Devils over a short-benched Hull, though the game wasn't great and could only be described as going from dull to average.
Hull only had 11 skaters but did make a game of the first period at least. Knight seemed to be up for that first period and hit/whacked/punched everything near him whether they deserved it or not.
Though the period ended goalless the Devils had hit the posts twice and had the puck cleared out of the crease two or three times with Sandahl making some great saves.
Second period though the Devils ran away with it. A defensive mix-up in the neutral zone saw Finnerty pick up the loose puck, skate in down the left wing before timing his pass to the free Mark Smith and he fired in.
Devils 1-0 Stingrays.
Midway through the game the Devils got the all important second goal. Finnerty threaded a beautiful pass through several players from the blueline for Birbraer to tip towards goal. Sandahl did well to make the save but the rebound fell to Voth and he slid it under the netminder and into the goal.
Devils 2-0 Stingrays.
Cardiff's third goal finally killed of the Stingrays, Latulippe showing lovely skill to dance his way through two defencemen. As Sandahl came out to cut down the angle he passed it sideways to the on rushing Hill who fired into the unguarded net.
Devils 3-0 Stingrays
A reasonably impressive middle period was completed with a fourth goal for the home side. Birbraer looked like he had lost the puck as he went behind the net, but fought it back, and with a burst of speed he got away from his defenceman, and passed it back infront of the net to Michel who timed it in.
Devils 4-0 Stingrays
Third period was a bit of non-event really as the Devils coated to victory. Cardiff started the period on the PP after a too-many men call against Hull. Jarvis shot the puck from the blueline and when the rebound fell to Voth, he knocked it sideways to Birbraer who flipped it into the net.
Devils 5-0 Stingrays
The scoring was completed with a typical piece of Birbraer magic. He stole the puck off a Hull defenceman in their zone as he moved on goal seemed to be tripped. Despite flying through the air he still somehow got his shot away and it somehow got past Sandahl.
Good to see Lyle get his first shutout of the season, he was solid all game but I doubt he will get many easier shut outs. Devils looked strong defensively all season as they rolled with 3 lines all game, Symonds getting a regular shift alongside Adams and he got better and better as the game went on.
Finnerty would probably have been my MOTM. I never noticed it when he was with Sheffield but he must be one of the best passers of the puck in the league. He is really clicking with Michel already and they look like they could be a deadly partnership in a couple of weeks.
I'm not sure if Birbraer is the right linemate for them though. Smith doesn't look his usual self without Max alongside whilst Towe seems to be struggling to get used to his new linemates of Smithy and Miller.
Having said that, we look far better defensively with the new lines. If there was ever a negative about that line of Birbraer-Smith-Voth is that they did seem to concede a lot of goals. They also struggled to score goals away from home so I guess the real test of the new lines will be in Sheffield tonight.
Final mention must go to the two officials though, Andy Dalton and Lee Young. With Darnell unable to attend due to injury the two linesmen took over the refereeing duties between then and were excellent. Despite having to dash all around the ice all game I don't think they make a wrong call all night. Consistent throughout and didn't miss anything off the puck. Great job guys.
