Cardiff Devils vs Nottingham Panthers - 27/01/2013

  It was a devastating end to the weekend for the Cardiff Devils, as they suffered a 4-2 defeat to the Nottingham Panthers - despite playing their hearts out.  Though the scoreline says otherwise, Cardiff did not deserve to lose against the league leaders; they gave 110% and all Devils' fans will be proud of what went down in the BBT.  But this is a clear display of how it isn't over until the whistle blows...

  Fans from both Cardiff and Nottingham saw an uneventful first period; no goals, no penalties.  Both teams had several chances and the net minders, Craig Kowalski and, on his home debut, Chris Whitley, definitely deserve some huge recognition for the stops pulled out.  The crowd saw some physical play to keep them interested but the goal just wouldn't come.

  Off into the second and Nottingham were pressing for the advantage.  They finally broke the deadlock in the third minute, Bruce Graham earning his 25th goal of the season to put the Panthers ahead.  Neither side could increase, or add to the goals throughout the second, so the visiting team carried a 1-0 lead into the third.

  All penalties from the second were minors - a combination of 6 for Nottingham and 2 for Cardiff but the penalty killing units were up to scratch and nothing was getting through.

  Now the third, where to start...?  A combined tally of five goals between the two sides, with the final two coming in the final minute and a half.  The Panthers' started it off, Pat Galivan doubling the Northern side's lead.  This lead was reduced, however, when Faulkner added his third goal of the weekend to finally get the home side on the board, with Captain Stuart MacRae following behind just minutes later to level the game.

  Everything was starting to look up for Cardiff; the game was levelled and if things continued they could force overtime.  Unfortunately, Nottingham were not down and out.  After taking a bad hit from Beckett, Max Birbraer had to be escorted from the ice, leaving a trail of blood behind him.  With a key penalty killer out for treatment, the Devils' were unlucky to draw two penalties (Marsh for boarding and Richardson for hooking) in the final minutes of the game.  Down to four, then three, skaters, it wasn't too difficult for David Ling - a player who the Devils' defence have always had a problem containing - to slot the puck behind Chris Whitley.  Nottingham rounded it off with a power play empty-netter from Lachowicz to give the final score of 4-2 Panthers.

  So despite the amazing play from the Devils, everything fell apart in the final minutes.  Meanwhile, they will be shaking the disappointment off and getting ready to face the Coventry Blaze on Thursday, down at the BBT for a 7.30pm face off... make sure you're there to support the guys!  Let's Go Devils!

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