I think the game overall showed the ups and downs of our season.
For some reason we started really poorly. Herning came out flying (not surprising after Saturdays result) but we really struggled in the opening exchanges and had to rely on Bowns to not fall behind early. After killing off a PP we finally woke up and scored a well worked goal to take the lead.
Then, just as we have so many times this year, we give up a stupid goal within seconds on the next shift. It looked like poor-checking from the forwards allowing Herning to have several shots that Bowns initially saved before the 3rd or 4th finally got through. We continued to struggle and gave away another soft penalty and this time Blue Fox mad it count to lead 2-1.
Falling behind seemed to wake the players up and we started playing the physical, intense hockey that had worked so well the day before. Ully getting the goal to deservedly get us back to 2-2.
Second period started better but then another defensive lapse in concentration gifted them a chance which they took. From that point on though we pretty much dominated the period, quickly scored an equaliser and created lots of chances but couldn't finish any more of them off.
Third period started well and it looked like just a matter of time before we took the lead. The game was getting chippier and some seemingly blatant penalties were ignored as it appeared the referees were going to let it go.
At which point the officials seemed to lose the plot. Martin was called for a phantom Xcheck giving Red Fox a PP. On which several blatant x-checks and trips were ignored. Crawford in particular took the blunt of their stick work and when he was x-checked to the ice as the PP expired the referee raised his arm....only to call Crawford as well!
Icetime showed a replay that gave no clue as to what Crawford had done.
Seconds later Alderson gives one of their players a little tap and gets called for Slashing - which Red Fox score on.
The final minutes then descend into a bit of a farce as both teams have no idea what will be called and what won't. Several blatant slashes and cross-checks from both teams go unpunished until Herning finally got called for Boarding (looked more check to the head to me).
Devils create a couple of good chances but also waste some great positions, allowing Herning to just about scrape over the line.
A very entertaining game that the Devils probably should have won but the issues that have bugged us all season reared their heads again and cost us.
Part of me is glad though that the game wasn't for the title. If it had been, and we had lost because of that 3rd period officiating performance I'd have been fuming.
Here's hoping we can continue with this style and intensity of hockey when we return to EIHL games because I think the rest of the league will struggle to match us for it.