Devils Vs Giants - Challenge Cup Semi Final

The Devils started off well in this double match up, with captain Stuart MacRae scoring quickly… the puck hitting the back of the net with just 38 seconds gone!  The Devils continued this play, keeping strong for the first half of the period, Lyle having to make only a handful of saves.  Cardiff were also granted with a 5-on-3 powerplay, along with several other PP chances, but failed to convert.  Throughout the period both goal tenders were pulling off some fantastic saves.  Unfortunately, the great style of play did not continue into the second half of the period. 

After the uneventful powerplay, the Belfast made it back into the game with some dominating play, keeping the puck in the Devils’ zone whilst throwing it at Lyle with increased intensity.  Luckily for them, ex-Devil Jon Pelle was on hand.  At 15:20, Pelle slipped the puck past Lyle to level the game score; unfortunately for the Giants they were still a goal down on aggregate.  Obviously not happy with that, Craig Peacock also put one past Stevie, giving the Giants the edge and levelling the aggregate score. 

With the score now in the Giants' favour, the Devils were being careful… just not careful enough.  With only a couple of minutes left on the clock, Robert Dowd broke away, only to be brought down by Kenton Smith.  Referee Tom Darnell calls a penalty shot, and it is all eyes on Stevie.  The testimonial goal tender comes out to face Dowd, tracking him in a way only tenders can achieve, leaving Dowd just enough room to think he was in.  Luckily for the Red Army, Lyle knew exactly what he was doing and shut Dowd down.  Period ended 2-1 Giants.

Now, the second is a continuation from the second half of the first.  Giants continue to dominate and blast the puck towards Lyle, forcing the Welshman to make some incredible saves.  This domination pays off for the Giants, as high scoring forward Robert Dowd, making up for not getting the puck passed Lyle when he had the chance on the penalty shot earlier, put the puck passed Stevie at 31.34 on the powerplay, the Devils having #25 Phil Hill in the box for hooking.  In an attempt to combat the punishing Giants, the Devils were desperately trying to get back into the game.  Whenever the chance arose, the Devils were throwing the puck at the net, forcing net minder Murphy to put his glove to good use.  The welsh side had a few breaks, getting a couple of powerplay chances but not using them to their full advantage.  Unfortunately, the Giants were making up for past mistakes, taking whatever the Devils would give out.  Second period finished 3-1 Giants.

It looks like the Devils will have to pull something incredible out of the bag to have a chance in this game.  The Giants, who are definitely the dominate force in tonight’s battle, were taking no prisoners and showing no mercy.  All bets are off now, with everyone looking to the third to see who is going to pull it out of the bag.

It didn’t look good at the start of the third; straight off, Matzka was sent to the box for elbowing.  Unlike our own side, the Giants weren’t shy about using the advantages given to them.  Push and push they did, until finally they got the puck over the line.  Unfortunately for the Irish side, Darnell has a keen eye, and the goal was disallowed due to a player in the crease.  It seems like this served as a kick-start, as the Devils’ game seemed to pick up.

Due to this jump in action, Scottish tender Stephen Murphy was called upon to make some serious saves.  With the shots came more time on puck for the Devils, although Murphy was acting like a brick wall, keeping the Devils from converting any of their chances.  Despite this increase in intensity, Aaron Clarke managed to get one passed Lyle on the powerplay, at 51:11.  After the restart, and some additional Giants’ chances, Matzka and Keefe got tangled behind Lyle, with Richardson, Keefe and Deniset all being sent to the box. 

Unlike a few occasions Devils’ fans could recall from this season alone, it seems Tom Darnell was rooting for the Devils, as he disallowed a second Giants’ goal, giving our Devils a much needed reprieve.  Unfortunately, the Devils failed to use it.  In fact, the opposite happened.  With three minutes left on the clock, Matzka was sent to the box with a minor for interference and a ten minute misconduct.  Despite being on the powerplay, the Giants failed to widen the gap further, and the game finished with the Giants winning 4-1 (5-3 AGG).  Captain Stuart MacRae was awarded the Devils man of the match, with the Giants alternative going to ex-Devil Jon Pelle.

Keep your head up, Red Army; shake off this loss and look forward to tomorrow’s match, back in the BBT when the Braehead Clan come to town.  Let’s give the Mayor an incredible send off!  Let’s get everyone down to the BBT tomorrow.  Let’s show Voth how much he will be missed.  Let’s go Devils!

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