Devils vs 23/09/12 (CC) - In Review

We were back in the BBT last night with the Cardiff Devils facing off against the Nottingham Panthers.  With the Devils getting off to an unsettled start this season, the Red Army were definitely looking for a big win against the age old foe from the North.  Coming off an overtime loss to Coventry in the Skydome on Saturday night and desperate to break a four game losing streak, the South Wales side had everything to play for.

  Cardiff came out strong, with Captain Stuart MacRae giving Cardiff the advantage after just 42 seconds!  New signing Devin Didiomete added to the excitement with some of those hard hits that Devils' are famous for, giving the crowd in the BBT something extra to cheer about.  Unfortunately, the Red Army was quietened momentarily when the Panthers equalised, via David Clarke, in the third minute. 

  Although the scoring stayed level for the duration of the first period, it was not a boring period by any means; within the first five minutes, we'd already seen Devin Didiomete smash Lachowicz all the way into next week and match up against Lee in a brawl-style fight.  It seemed that rough was the name of the game in the Bay, with several roughing penalties following the Didiomete/Lee fight, as well as some aggressive slashing and cross checking.  This was definitely not a game to be missed.

  The second period was slightly calmer, despite the crowd being ignited for each of the three Devils' goals scored throughout the second twenty minutes!  Both goaltenders performed brilliantly, giving the crowd a show they aren't likely to forget any time soon.  From the get-go in the second, the Devils' were emitting immense pressure on the Nottingham tender, Craig Kowalski, and he was all but standing on his head in a desperate attempt to keep the score level.  His efforts, however, did not prove successful, especially when Mark Smith put the Devils' ahead once more, just after the 25 minute mark.  He was soon followed by Mac Faulkner and Max Birbraer, all contributing into getting the Devils' three goals ahead going into the third period.

  The Devils' went on to score another goal in regulation, with Chris Blight finding the back of the net with just over five minutes left in the period.  Unfortunately, Nottingham seemed to have found their flow and the goals would not stop coming.  The Northern side managed to slip four goals past tender Osaer, coming from Werner, Myers, Lachowicz and Ling respectively, to even it up before the end of regulation. 

  Despite the Panthers' new-found energy, Cardiff managed to cling on, calling a time out just after Benedict was sent to the box for hooking, using their time to come up with a successful plan to get the puck in the back of the net.  For the second time, first star Chris Blight came to the Welsh side's rescue, getting them that overtime goal that had been alluding the side for the past four games.  Second and third star when to Devils' Davies and Panthers' Myers.

  The guys now have a few days to recover before the Giants come crashing into the BBT on Thursday night (puck drop: 7:30pm).  Tickets are on sale now for what is sure to be an exciting match up between the two long time rivals.  Let's Go Devils!

Devils 6, Panthers 5 - OT Final

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