Inferno blog - Chris Whitley

4th Apr 2013 | Posted by Chris Whitley

I guess this blog could be summed up as me being here for a good time not a long time. Being signed for the last 20 or so games isn't an easy thing to do nor have I ever done it until this year but I truly wish it was a longer stay. My time in Cardiff can be described as a roller coaster ride in terms of how our performances have gone, but we did accomplish part of our goal as mentioned when I arrived in Cardiff. When I arrived we prepared for a two game playoff series and then two wins to capture a playoff championship, so as of now we are half way to what we had set out to do.

Last week was again a roller coaster of ups and downs for us players and I'm sure the fans who watched us play both games. I had a horrible vision of the series being similar to the Penguins and Flyers play off series last season in the NHL. In case you don't know what I mean that series could was gonna be won on whatever goalie made the last save! It also set records for most goals scored in a playoff series. So being down 6-3 going into the third in Glasgow it was a sickening feeling but as I looked around the room I didn't see anyone with there head down nor any sign of panic. That itself was a big confidence booster for me and before we took the ice for the third we just wanted to go out and win the period and take care of business the next night at the BBT. As I got to the locker room Sunday for the game I knew what I had to do and apparently so did everyone else! Scoring two goals in the first five minutes set the tone and the rest was history as the Cardiff Devils continued tradition making yet another final four weekend. It was great to see guys battle and step up in their own way. CJ had a heck of a game with two goals and major kudos has to go to Kenton Smith battling through a lot of pain to give us some big shifts! As a whole I was extremely proud of every guy in the room. From what we had gone through the past few months, seeing the smiles and excitement from the guys after the final buzzer Sunday made the disappointment of the losses quickly disappear.

So as my time comes to an end in Cardiff I can say I've had a great time! I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys to play with... Yes even Joe Myers. The fans are one of a kind, very passionate, loyal and incredibly supportive. I can't imagine how pumped everyone is going to be this weekend in Nottingham! So cheers to all the fans and everyone involved in the organisation and let's have a great weekend!

Whits