Devils @ Blaze - Pre-Season Preview

3rd Sep 2012 | Posted by Simon Rafferty

Wednesday see’s the Devils in preseason action against the Coventry Blaze away in Coventry in the second leg of their preseason exhibition match up. The first leg saw the Devils take the win 2-1 in Cardiff something that the Blaze will no doubt be keen to address in this return leg.

 

The Blaze have an extra two games under their belts as a team since last playing the Devils having been in action last weekend against the Steelers winning away, 3- 4, in a fiery match that saw the Blaze’s Brad Leeb suspended for a sucker in the second period a penalty that will now be assessed by the leagues disciplinary committee and could result in him missing this Wednesdays game.

Coming into the second home game still missing three imports in Mike Danton ( still appealing this VISA rejection), Jerramie Domish (injured) and Brad Leeb (suspended) the Blaze had a tall order to fill to get a win but after taking a lot of small penalties and paid the price for this being on the penalty kill for much of the game losing 1 – 3.

Coach Paul Thompson said: “We had to kill a period of penalties which is what you don’t want to do and we ran out of legs in the third period.”

“Sheffield had a full line-up while we were three imports down – two of those ex-NHL players and an American League defenseman – so I can have no complaints.”

“I like our passion, commitment and never say die attitude. The guys were upset they lost even though it was an exhibition game.”

Looking at the two Sheffield games things don’t on the face of things seem all that rosy for the Blaze who even though short benched had to rely on Dustin Cameron for 4 of their 5 goals with the other goal coming from Captain Shea Guthrie.

Our preview of the Blaze squad can be found here http://www.the-inferno.co.uk/news/devil ... -face-off/

The Devils on the other hand have seen their roster bolstered since they last met the Blaze with the arrival of Stuart MacRae and have played one additional game against the NIHL Devils clocking up an impressive 12 – 0 score line.

There is still no word on the arrival of the final Devils import Jamie Milam other than that he is expected any day now so he may well be in in time of this game ( or you know not ??) while the Blaze will be without forward Mike Danton and also possibly without forward Brad Leeb if the league takes any action and Jeremy Domish who may return after being injured in Cardiff ( or you know might not).

If the first game is anything to by this will be a cracking game with the Blaze out to level the score and possibly take some retribution for the open ice hit on Jeremy Domish which the league later declared was“clean”. The Devils staying out of the Box where the Blaze players will be if current form holds true will be the key to the Devils winning this game for me.

If you heading up for the game you can get tickets be calling the Blaze Box office on 02476 630693 (option 0 apparentlt).

If your not going up never as always well be running the “Childish and amazingly Biased” Match Night Live service for this game, at the usual location of http://www.the-inferno.co.uk/mnl if you'd like to help out with texting updates ( we’d be happy to hear from you) or chip in with some comments on the night please contact us at matchnightlive@gmail.com.

For details of upcoming away travel with Red Army Travel you can get all the information here http://the-inferno.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6212