It was a close one !

After a thrilling double over Sheffield last weekend, which also ended in a shootout, the Red Army were up and raring to go - the Panthers in from the North this week.  Cardiff were missing a few key players on Saturday night, Birbraer to injury, Bissonnette to illness and Harding to international duty so it was definitely going to be an interesting match.

  It was a slow game to start, with various penalties for both sides in the opening twenty.  Both sides saw some chances in the first but neither were able to capitalise, taking the 0-0 deadlock through to the second period - where Cardiff Captain Stuart MacRae scored a shorthanded goal, just eleven seconds in (after Devin Didiomete was sent to the box for cross-checking at 1845 in the first, which automatically ran over into the second when the buzzer rang).

  With the home side in the lead, spirits were high...but the Panthers weren't going to let that stand.  Just two minutes later, Gulivan added Nottingham's first, levelling the score at one a piece.  The fans then saw a few more penalties, including a delay of game from Kenton Smith - allowing fellow teammate Mac Faulkner to add a shorthanded goal of his own to once again give the Welsh side the lead.

  Things were looking steady, but Gui Lepine managed to add a controversial equaliser in the last minute.

  Despite Didiomete scoring a third Devils' goal in the final twenty, the score remained at 2-2 until the end of regulation, after referee Mike Hicks ruled no goal and the game was forced to go to overtime.  The extra five minutes saw a solid effort from both sides, and some near misses but that final goal was just out of reach.

  Cardiff started the shootout well, with a goal from Blight.  Nottingham answered quickly - Francis scoring two to gain his team the extra point.

  Just the one game for Cardiff this weekend but we have a hockey filled weekend ahead, with the Devils playing three games in three days....Starting with a visit to the O, where they will take on the Belfast Giants.  After Nottingham's success this weekend, Belfast were knocked off the top of the table and will be desperate for the win to set that right.  If you're not heading over to Ireland, don't forget to follow along at Match Night Live for all your game updates!  Let's Go Devils!

Devils 2- 3 Panthers  - SO Final

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