To be honest this game was over after 8 minutes, during which the Devils destroyed Newcastle with a level of intensity they just couldn't match.
After the Vipers conceeded an early penalty, Brad Voth collected the loose puck on the blue line and skated in on goal. Robinson came out to cut down the angle, but as he did so Voth slid the puck across to the incoming Mark Smith and he fired into the empty net.
Devils 1-0 Vipers
2 minutes later and that same line with causing chaos again. This time Voth had the puck behind the net and fooled everyone with a reverse back-hand pass to Birbraer infront of net, and he one-timed it past Robinson.
Devils 2-0 Vipers
Newcastle could barely get out of their zone and when they conceeded another penalty, the Devils took advantage again. Robinson forced to make several saves before the loose puck fell to Hill, he seemed to mishit his shot, but he got enough on it for it to slide under Robinson and into the net.
Devils 3-0 Vipers
Newcastle called a timeout and slowly got back into the game. A quick 2 on 1 gave them a good chance from which they hit the post. But it was still mostly the Devils and on yet another PP Richardson skated in from the blueline and his shot beat Robinson but pinged back off the crossbar.
Into the second period and it was almost the same story. Devils created two great chances to score but failed to hit the target. Towe in particular deked the netminder (who then got knocked to the ice by his own defenceman) but with the empty net demanding a goal he went around the net but failed to somehow put the puck into the net.
Devils started to get into penalty trouble themselves and ended up facing a 5-on-3 for almost two whole minutes. The penalty kill was excellent though and both penalties were killed off, but no sooner had they returned the full strength the Devils seemed to switch off - gifting the Vipers a goal after Tejchma was left unmarked by the post to tap in.
Devils 3-1 Vipers
The next 5 minutes were pretty even, both sides creating chances with Miller for the Devils hitting the inside of the post but it bounced clear.
Vipers were the next to the bin though, and on the Devils PP Romfo's shot from the blue line was tipped inside the post by Voth.
Devils 4-1 Vipers
That goal seemed to hit the Vipers hard. When they took another penalty just before the end of the period, Birbraer's pass across net found Smith and he fired the puck in from the tight angle.
Devils 5-1 Vipers.
Vipers swapped netminders for the start of the final period, which to be honest was a bit of an anti-climax with both teams knowing the result was a formality.
With 5 minutes remaining the game livened up a bit, a mad scramble infront of the net saw Towe swing his stuck at the bouncing puck and into the net.
Devils 6-1 Vipers
Devils then gave the Vipers a PP and from the blueline Dormish fired an unstoppable shot into the corners.
Devils 6-2 Vipers
Devils then gave away yet another penalty, but instead of the Vipers using the PP to create the chance of a comeback, the Devils used it to finish the Vipers off. First Towe broke away down the right wing, before hitting a slapshot that flew over Lawson's shoulder and into the top far corner.
Devils 7-2 Vipers
The on the same penalty kill, Jason Stone dumped the puck into the corner and around the boards, Lawson went to collect it but the puck took a funny bounce and went straight to Mark Smith infront of the empty net.
Devils 8-2 Vipers
Vipers did get the consolation of completing the scoring, Marhle firing the puck over Lyle into the top corner from right infront.
Devils 8-3 Vipers.
Solid Devils performance, though they might be a bit disappointed that they conceeded those two late goals. Though we have now scored 17 goals at home against the Vipers in just two games!
