NIHL Devils - Round Up

Cardiff NIHL Devils are back in action again this Saturday at the BBT v league contenders Romford Raiders following last weekends win against Bracknell Hornets.  Romford were sitting unbeaten at the top of the league until recently, but in the last month times have become hard and losses against Chelmsford and more shockingly Bracknell have seen them slip to 3rd place only 3 points ahead of Devils.  Then on Sunday they travel to Isle of Wight to take on ex-Elite League enforcer Jeremy Cornish and his Raiders who are currently 2nd in the league. 

The games this season against the Essex Boys have been markedly different, a narrow 4-3 defeat here in Wales early in the season was followed by Devils worst result this season beaten 15-5 on the road with an under strength team and some debious officiating calls which culminated in Devils losing the services of starting netminder Brabon and Coach Cuddihy for numerous games.

The team will no doubt be keen to keep building on the recent performances against Isle of Wight and Bracknell, although they still have areas they can improve on, they can be very pleased with the games played and points picked up since the Christmas break including beating the Isle of Wight at home.  This weekend though is the when the real test begins. 

Devils #13 Alan Armour had this to say "Romford are the only team in the league we have yet to get a point from.  Cudd made it very clear he does not want to be blanked by any team in a season so that is an added incentive this weekend.  We should really have closed the game out here in November, we had a lead on them in the game but at that time in the season I think we lacked a bit of the team self belief we have now, we know we can beat anyone if we play the right way as a team and that will be the key to our continued success." 

"Chris 'CJ' Jones eased back into the team last week returning from EPL Swindon Wildcats and certainly went some way to replacing the speed lost while speedster Sean Scarbrough is out with a slight injury picked up playing for the Elite Devils, also returning was Louis Lockwood from shoulder injury sustained before Christmas and David Sadler after a spell working on his game in the NIHL2 Devils team.  Elite two way prospect Rupert Quiney notched two goals and so did Top Scorer Steven Osman, followed by goals each for Steven Fisher and Chris Jones on his return."

"The team is overflowing now!" said Armour "I'm not going to lie, its a great position to be in.  We have a team with no budget at all occupying one of the 'Big 4 spenders' spots and we have too many players too choose from.  Cudd has explained to the boys that places are there to be played for every game now and we will be seeing some healthy scratches sitting in the stands."

"That's great news for the team, it means no-one can take it easy, the juniors and younger guys are pushing all the time and that's keeping us older guys honest and making us work harder to keep our spots.  We have already seen U18 D-man Callum Buglass establish himself as a great first team player and he will be with us all year now and Josh Haslam picked up the MOM award on Saturday too ahead of some much more experienced players."

"As ever Cardiff development is working and its great for the NIHL Devils and great for Cardiff as a club.  There are many teams in the league with budgets, who need those big budgets, because they have to buy their players in every year.  Cardiff don't need to because there is a steady stream of emerging talent all the time.  Already there are a number of players standing out at U16 and even U14 levels that you can see looking for a spot soon."

NIHL Hockey is full of passion, skill, hits, fights, goals and saves and all mainly home grown talent too. Come down, show your support and enjoy a cheap evening of great hockey. 

Face off is 7pm - Tickets cost £6 for Adults, £3 for kids and £1 DCF Members.