Posted on 06/12/08, filed under Devils | No Comments
Cardiff Devils Match Preview
Cardiff Devils vs Manchester Phoenix
bmibaby Elite League game Saturday, December 6
Cardiff Bay Arena, 7:00pm
The Cardiff Devils, sponsored by 1two1cars.com Vehicle Leasing & Contract Hire Specialist, welcome the Manchester Phoenix to the Bay for the first time this season when the two teams meet on Saturday night (7:00pm).
Coming off Wednesday’s 1-0 shutout against Hull, the Devils will be keen to continue their four-game winning streak and overtake the fifth-ranked Phoenix who they trail by one point.
The season series is tied at 1-1 and with both teams trying to climb the Elite League ladder to break into the top four these games are perhaps worth more than the two points on offer.
The Devils prevailed when the teams last met, a 5-3 away win on November 30. Cardiff survived a third period fight back from the Phoenix, who surged back into the game following an altercation that saw Brad Voth and Kyle Bruce ejected early in the third period.
After leaving Wednesday’s clash with Hull winger Marc Fulton (1+1) underwent a scan on Thursday and is currently listed by coach Gerad Adams as day-to-day. Mike Hartwick (3+6) took a whack in the nose against the Stingrays and left enough blood on the ice to paint a new face-off circle, but hockey players often see facial injuries as battle scars so the American defenceman will be patrolling the blueline as normal.
Phoenix enforcer Brett Clouthier (3+6, 80 PIMs) is one of the hardest men in the Elite League, but has had only four fights so far this season. If there is any lingering resentment from the last meeting, Clouthier might be the man to dish out any payback. Doug MacIver (0+7, 146 PIMs) could answer the call.
For any Devils fans who haven’t visited Altrincham this season, Saturday will be their first glance at Manchester’s high-octane offence led by former AHL winger Luke Fulghum (14+19) and sharpshooter David Beauregard (28+21). French-Canadian Beauregard is on course to surpass Joe Tallari’s 55 goals from last year and is constantly on Tony Hand’s (8+26) radar.
With Manchester’s forwards receiving the applause, they also have arguably the best defenceman in the Elite League in Kenton Smith (4+17). The 29-year old Phoenix captain, who played together with Voth in 2003/04 for the ECHL’s Columbus Cottonmouths, has gained a reputation as a rock solid blueliner since joining the Elite League, also showing two-way capabilities.
Smith will be going up against the EIHL’s current player of the week Devils D-man Tyson Teplitsky (12 points in 12 games), who has four points in two games against the Phoenix this season.
Posted on 03/12/08, filed under Devils | No Comments
Cardiff Devils Match Report
Challenge Cup Group B Wednesday, December 3
Cardiff Bay Arena
Cardiff Devils 1 Excel Hull Stingrays 0
The Cardiff Devils, sponsored by 1two1cars.com Vehicle Leasing & Contract Hire Specialist, closed out their Challenge Cup group fixtures with a 1-0 win against the Excel Hull Stingrays on a nostalgic night in the Bay.
Peter Aubry put a goose egg on the scoreboard as he stopped all 25 Stingray shots to earn his third shutout of the season and defenceman Mike Hartwick scored in the final minute to give the Devils the win.
Hartwick, who had earlier received a bloody nose when he was on the wrong end of an errant stick, lit the lamp when Hull starting netminder Curtis Cruickshank left his crease in the final seconds as the Stingrays gambled for a win to keep them in the competition.
Coach Gerad Adams saw his side win their fourth straight game, but was concerned by the loss of Marc Fulton, who left the game with a suspected leg injury.
Instead of the desired goal spree, it was a goaltending duel between Aubry and Cruickshank until the Hull stopper politely stepped aside. Cardiff needed to win by three goals to have any hope of advancing and although the goal came too late, at least fans were treated to a classic goal celebration song from the archives.
Until Hartwick settled it, neither team could bring a spark to a game that had started with a video tribute to the late BBC presenter Bob Humprhys and a spectacular lighting display. Fans gathered with former players to celebrate Humprhys’ life and contribution to the Devils and recognise the history and tradition of such a proud organisation.
With the Sky Sports cameras at the Bay Arena, both teams got a case of stage fright, except for the goalies who shined on a typically freezing December night in South Wales. Aubry and Cruickshank traded glove saves, stick saves and pad saves until the Devils man was declared the last man standing, literally.
Entering the final minute of play, the Stingrays still had everything to play for. Knowing his team could advance to the final four by beating the Devils and then the Basingstoke Bison in the final group game, Hull coach Rick Strachan decided to pull Cruickshank to keep the Stingrays alive. Strachan was hoping for another final minute miracle from his team, who scored twice at the death to come back from 3-1 down when the teams last met in the Elite League on November 15.
This time it wasn’t Hull’s night, and Hartwick shot the puck into the empty net with 29 seconds remaining.
The Devils’ home stand continues on Saturday when they host the Manchester Phoenix (7:00pm).
Statistics:
Devils: Mike Hartwick 1+0
Period Scores: Devils: 0+0+1=1; Stingrays: 0+0+0=0
Shots on Goal: Devils: 25; Stingrays: 24
Penalty Minutes: Devils: 8; Stingrays: 10
Referee: Mike Hicks
Powerplays: Devils: 0/5; Stingrays: 0/4
Attendance: 1,141
Posted on 03/12/08, filed under Devils | No Comments
Cardiff Devils Match Preview
Cardiff Devils vs Excel Hull Stingrays
Challenge Cup Group B Wednesday, December 3
Cardiff Bay Arena, 7:30pm
The Cardiff Devils, sponsored by 1two1cars.com Vehicle Leasing & Contract Hire Specialist, celebrate the life of Bob Humphrys on Wednesday when they welcome the Excel Hull Stingrays to the Bay (7:30pm).
It’s nostalgia night in the Bay as the Devils entertain the Stingrays with the Sky Sports cameras rolling.
The game will be dedicated to the late Bob Humphrys as part of a wider ‘Nostalgia Night.’ Bob Humphrys presented BBC Wales Today’s sports coverage for 20 years before taking an early retirement this year. Shortly after his retirement he was diagnosed with lung cancer and sadly passed away in August.
The Cardiff Devils will also be donating to Macmillan Cancer Support from revenue generated by ticket sales. Macmillan provides support for families touched by cancer and its emphasis on providing practical help and advice offers them a crucial support.
The fixture will also carry a theme of nostalgia and fans will have the opportunity to re-live memories from Devils’ days gone by. The team will wear special commemorative jerseys which will be available at auction, a small number on the night with the remainder to be auctions at a date to be confirmed.
Fans will also be able to enjoy songs from previous eras which will be played during breaks in play. They will be treated to a spectacular lighting and visual experience having given fans a sneak preview in the game against Sheffield. With full ice projection and even more amazing effects this game truly should not be missed even if its just for the off ice performances.
The Devils enter the game riding the crest of a three game win-streak and have taken nine points from the last ten on offer. Sunday’s 5-3 victory in Manchester proved that the Devils can compete with any team in the league when they have a full roster and Brad Voth will again lead the team on to the ice aiming to win the final group game.
Hull were thrashed 7-1 by the Phoenix on Saturday but rebounded with a shock 5-4 win against Belfast on Sunday. The Stingrays have been rocked by the news that team captain Troy Neumeier will miss the rest of the season with a leg injury, but have shown that they can compete with the top teams in the league on any given night.
Rick Strachan’s team have taken the Devils and Panthers to overtime in the last month and have one of the outstanding players in the EIHL in forward Konstantin Kalmikov.
The Ukrainian power-forward enters the game with 17 points from 14 games, including a four-point night on Sunday. Centreman Jeff Glowa leads the Rays with 28 points, while Matt Reynolds (11+16) recently snapped a scoring drought that lasted almost a month.
If season ticket holders book tickets at the same time for the Challenge Cup match against Hull on December 3rd and the Knockout Cup Match against Basingstoke on January 11th they can get both tickets for just £22!
To take advantage of this offer and be a part of the Cardiff Devils ‘Nostalgia Night’, book your tickets now!
