Cardiff Devils @ Nottingham Panthers - 12/01/2013

Panthers 4 - 1 Devils

Hockey night and the Red Army made their way up to Nottingham, as the Cardiff Devils faced off against the Nottingham Panthers, who currently sit top of the EIHL table. However, David Beauguard has yet to arrive, and both coach Corey Neilson and back up netminder Dan Green were missing from lineup - though Keiley Wilson was warmly welcomed back by the home support. Devils were missing Rupert Quiney (who was back in Cardiff on ENL duty) but welcomed back Max Birbraer from injury and Sean Scarborough, who comes up to the elite league after signing a month long contract with the Welsh side.

Nottingham came out strong, with their MOM David Ling scoring the first of his four goals just 2:41 in. Meanwhile, down the other end, with his sister in the crowd, Chris Blight showed a positive attitude in the opening minutes, with a few good shots on goal, though unable to even the score. Tensions running high, pushing and shoving was common, resulting in a Nottingham penalty - but Cardiff failed to convert on the man advantage.

Coming towards the end of the period, things were looking bleak but hopes were lifted as the puck was fired past Craig Kowalski ... Only for him to lean back and fish the puck back out before it could touch the back of the net. With that disappointment, the first period finished 1-0 in favour of the home side.

Clearly on a role and willing to demonstrating why they are now sitting 6 points clear at the top, Nottingham came out quickly, scoring 40seconds in to double their lead. The scoreline obviously lighting a short fuse, Cardiff showed some promise in the following minutes, with some big hits and great chances, Jesse Gimblett running rings around the Nottingham defense. Cardiff MOM Ben Davies saw some bad luck in the form of a rocket shot to the knee, resulting in his leaving the ice for treatment - though he iced in the third, getting some good shots on goal.

With what looked like a key forward missing from play for who knows how long and the scoreline looking anything but promising, Cardiff were in need of a kick start that would last longer than a few minutes. A win against tough guy Gui Lepine could provide this, you say? Tyson Marsh was clearly thinking along the same lines, allowing Lepine to land a few hits before taking him to the ice - binging a huge cheer from the away block! Following the fight-fuelled high, Cardiff picked up their game. Kowlaski, continuing on with his fantastic form, made save after save...keeping his team solidly in the lead with no change in the foreseeable future.

But all the fun and games came to an end when Max Birbraer was sent to the box for boarding after a relatively clean hit.... His first of the game, to the surprise of many. With confidence demoralised and Cardiff afraid to get physical for fear of ref Mike Hicks throwing them in the box,things went further downhill. Ling managed to get his hat trick goal, giving Nottingham a three goal advantage with just two minutes left in the period. However, in a surprise turn of events, Mark Smith forced the puck past Kowalski, breaking the Devils' deadlock just seconds before the end of the period - reducing the Panthers lead to only two goals into the final twenty.

As seemed to be a pattern throughout the game, Nottingham scored early on in the third, Ling scoring his fourth and final goal - the shot going glove side into an unguarded back door, Ling shooting unopposed. The disappointment continued for Red Army fans as shot after shot missed its target and puck after puck was stripped from the ever tired Devils' players; Kowalski and the Panthers looked invincible - Cardiff just could not keep up. A sliding save from tender Osaer was the only thing stopping Nottingham from increasing their lead further, the final score 4-1 to the home side, sending them 6 points clear at the top...well on course to lift the Elite League trophy at the end of the year.

Cardiff now face a long trip home to battle it put against the Fife Flyers in tomorrow's match up down at the BBT... Shaking off the loss tonight, there will be everything to play for so make sure you get down to the Bay and support the boys! Lets go Devils!

You can check out Holly's blog here http://theworldofsportbyateengirl.blogspot.co.uk/