Weekend Review - 24th & 25th November

Cardiff Devils @ Nottingham Panthers -  24/11/2012

The Cardiff Devils suffered a devastating blow to their league campaign on Saturday night, as they travelled up to Nottingham - only to be subjected to a 5-0 thrashing.

Things started slowly for both teams, a penalty a piece the only thing to report. Both Clarke and Faulkner spent time in the box for hooking but neither side could capitalise in the man advantage.

The Panthers came out quickly in the second, scoring on the power play in the second minute (Piggot was in the box for hooking). They doubled this lead after Kenton Smith found himself in the box for the same offence.

The home side scored twice more in the second, one being a power play goal after Mark Smith was sent to the box, again for hooking. With the momentum flowing, the Northern side travelled into the third with a 4-0 lead.

With heads down early on, the Devils were unable to prevent a fifth Nottingham goal, but bucked up their ideas for the final ten. With some good chances in the dying minutes they were unlucky, Kowalski staying strong in the Panthers' net. Although he did earn himself a 2+2 for roughing, after a tussle with Didiomete - who also received the same.

With a long trip home, the Devils had to shake off the loss. Hopefully playing in front of a full capacity crowd, the Red Army were welcoming (or not) the Coventry Blaze into the BBT on Sunday night- where they were hoping to get revenge for that game a few weeks; you know the one! Let's go Devils!

DEVILS 0 - 5 PANTHERS - FINAL

Cardiff Devils vs Coventry Blaze -  25/11/2012

With hearts heavy from the previous night's loss, Cardiff fans and players alike were desperate to bring in those crucial league points. With the Blaze in town for the first time since the Brawl in the Bay, it was set to be a not-to-be-missed game!

Just like Saturday night, fans were welcomed with a slow first period, with a couple of penalties throughout. The same can be said for the first ten of the second.

However, despite the slight sense of deja vu, the crowd was in for a treat come the 30th minute. Already a fan favourite, NHL lockout signing Paul Bissonnette boosted his fan base, scoring the first of the Devils' five goals, the assist going to Mac Faulkner. Brit Adam Harding, who has just been called up to represent on the U20 GB squad, added the Devils' second just over a minute later.

Blaze's G Leeb answered with a goal of his own, but Captain Stuart MacRae was quick behind him to keep the Devils' two goal lead going into the third.

After a penalty for either side at the start of the period, MacRae added his second of the night - a power play goal, assisted by Blight and Bissonnette. Coventry were desperate to get back into the game but had been struggling to contain 'Biznasty' all night. After relying on their top line for most of the evening, they managed to pull one back but their hopes of stealing the points were put out when Blight scored an empty netter in the final minute.

Even a bout of handbags couldn't earn the Blaze anything, except a roughing minor and the game finished 5-2 in favour of the home side

It was a turbulent weekend but Cardiff came away with much needed points and are now looking forward to next weekend when they face the Sheffield Steelers in a double header, home and away weekend. Let's go Devils!

Devils 5 - 2 Blaze - Final

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