Cardiff Devils vs Edinburgh Capitals - 19/01/2013

After an interesting week of upheaval for the Cardiff Devils, as well as the excitement of the snow, the Welsh side was all set to take on the Edinburgh Capitals in the BBT tonight. Coming off an up and down weekend – securing a win over the Fife Flyers on Sunday night after suffering a disappointing loss to the Nottingham Panthers the previous night – the Devils were ready to show they were back on their feet.

Cardiff started off well, with a quick goal, Faulkner doing what he does best in the opening two minutes to be the home aide off to a flying start. This was quickly followed up with a round of wrestling from Kenton Smith and Cingel - both earning themselves 2+2 for slashing and roughing.  Cardiff also saw a goal disallowed after Captain Stuart MacRae was ruled to have kicked the puck into the net.  They made up for it though, after both sides received a couple of penalties, with d-man Mark Smith adding a second for the home side (a power play goal, assisted by Max Birbraer).  Jarolin pulled one back but Cardiff carried a one goal lead through to the second.

On a hot streak, Edinburgh were not going to take anything lying down - they came out swinging, Hartmann scoring quickly to get them back in the game.  Zembergs followed this up in the following minutes, giving the visiting side the lead for the first time in the game.  But they certainly weren't finished... Edinburgh's MOM Dobron managed to slot the puck passed Myers unassisted, whilst Portwood was in the box for delay of game - putting his side two goals ahead, as well as earning himself a short-handed goal.

The score line not promising but the players giving their all, it wasn't long until Cardiff answered; doing an amazing job playing out of position, Josh Batch lowered the deficit to one for the South Wales side, with MacRae following behind to level the game just fifty seconds later.  The guys continued to tally the shots on goal, a combined total of 50 shots by the end of the game (compared with Edinburgh's 23), but unfortunately Hiadlovsky was standing on his head, doing everything to keep his team in the game.

Despite out shooting and - some are saying - out playing the Capitals, Cardiff just couldn't get that final goal in the third period - though Josh Batch, sponsored by Chris Fletcher, was assessed a 2+2+10 for attempted spearing and spent most the period in the penalty box - no matter how hard they tried nor how long they spent in the Edinburgh end.  The game rolled into OT and things were looking positive, the Devils' dominating most of the play.

Unfortunately, Jarolin was pulled down on a breakaway, calling a penalty shot.  Determination in his eyes, nothing could have stopped that puck from going in and Edinburgh skated away with that extra point.

With no game on Sunday, the Cardiff boys will be fully rested by Saturday, when they make the trip up to Sheffield to face off against the Steelers.  This weekend will be a true test for the guys, as they travel back on Sunday to face an unstoppable Nottingham side - one who showed just how powerful they are last weekend, defeating the Devils 4-1.  Hoping for a repeat of the first weekend of December, which saw Joe Myers walk away with a SO win over the Sheffield Steelers, there's everything to play for with this Cardiff side.  Make sure to follow along at Match Night Live on Saturday and make your way down to the tent on Sunday to give the guys the support they deserve! Let's Go Devils!

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