Posted on 29/11/08, filed under Devils | No Comments
Cardiff Devils Match Preview
Edinburgh Capitals vs Cardiff Devils
bmibaby Elite League Saturday, November 29
Murrayfield Ice Rink, 6:00pm
The Cardiff Devils, sponsored by 1two1cars.com Vehicle Leasing & Contract Hire Specialist, are on the road this Saturday as they travel to Scotland for a match-up against the Edinburgh Capitals (6:00pm).
The Devils have hit their stride lately; taking nine points from the last 12 on offer and will be eager to continue their hot streak against the struggling Capitals.
Brad Voth is still a week away from returning, having missed almost the whole month of November with a shoulder injury.
Jason Silverthorn picked up three assists in last week’s win against Basingstoke and has posted six points in his last three appearances. Peter Aubry (2.95 GAA, 91% SP) is holding a hot glove, whether he’s stopping penalty shots or making saves in regulation.
For Devils fans unable to make the trip, the Caps are broadcasting a webcast of the game for £5.
It’s the Devils’ third game against the Caps this year and so far it’s been one-way
traffic. Cardiff have outscored Edinburgh 15-2 in two games this season, including a 9-0 blowout when the teams last met on October 26.
However, the Capitals have improved since then with the addition of Finnish netminder Pasi Raitanen, who will start on Saturday night. Raitanen has won three out of four starts for the Caps this season and has stepped in for good following the departure of Michel Robinson to Nottingham.
Mark Hurtubise leads the Caps with 10 goals and 30 assists and has been one of the standout players in the Elite League. Andrej Rajcak has also added to the offence by racking up 28 points, but Edinburgh’s problems haven’t been up front.
The Caps have the fourth-best offence in the Elite League with 76 goals for, but have conceded a league-high 123. Of course, Robinson allowed the vast majority of those and player-coach Doug Christiansen is hoping that having Raitanen in as the number one starter will bring about a change of fortune.
Raitanen isn’t the only recent addition to join up the Capitals this weekend, Czech forward Roman Nesrsta has been drafted in to replace David Nimmo who departed Edinburgh earlier this month.
Posted on 25/11/08, filed under Devils | No Comments
The Cardiff Devils, sponsored by 1two1cars.com Vehicle Leasing & Contract Hire Specialist, exciting new era has been the dominant theme throughout the 08/09 hockey season in the capital. The organisation, fan base and community have all experienced the tide of enthusiasm about the Devils not seen for a decade or more in Cardiff.
Now, as the club charges head on into its new era it is also important not to forget the great moments and people that have played an important part in the clubs’ journey to where it is today. That’s why the Devils’ home fixture against Hull Stingrays on Wednesday 3rd of December 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.
Cardiff Devils Director of Hockey Shannon Hope commented; “Bob Humphrys was not only hugely respected as a sports journalist, but also as an individual. He was a great man and knowing him was a real privilege.
“He did a huge amount for the Devils through his work for the BBC, but also took a genuine interest in the sport, the organisation and crucially the people within it. The home match against Hull will be dedicated to his memory and we are delighted to do so” said Hope.
The Cardiff Devils will also be donating a four figure sum to Macmillan Cancer Support from revenue generated by the match. 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 with the 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.
Hope concluded; “We’re embarking on an exciting new era for the Devils and ice hockey in Cardiff in general. That said, in order to know where you are going you must understand where you have come from. The ‘Nostalgia Night’ will do just that.
“The game is also being filmed for Sky television, so I would encourage all of our great fans to show exactly what it means to be a Devil and what a fantastic history this club has” said Hope.
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!
These special offer tickets can only be bought by calling the arena box office on 02920 382001.
Posted on 23/11/08, filed under Devils | No Comments
Cardiff Devils Match Report
bmibaby Elite League Sunday, November 23
Cardiff Bay Arena
Cardiff Devils 4 Basingstoke Bison 1
The Cardiff Devils, sponsored by 1two1cars.com Vehicle Leasing & Contract Hire Specialist, made the most of their only game this weekend, picking up a 4-1 win over the Basingstoke Bison.
Marc Fulton, Jay Latulippe, Derek Campbell and Mike Prpich scored for the Devils, while Jason Silverthorn chipped in with three assists.
Brent Hughes was on target for the Bison, who lost their three-game unbeaten streak but again received excellent goaltending from Kevin Reiter.
After working overtime last weekend with back-to-back games ending in penalties, Cardiff netminder Peter Aubry had another solid outing, saving 18 out of 19 shots.
The result helps the Devils keep pace with fifth-ranked Manchester, who won 6-4 away against Edinburgh.
The Devils were again without injured pair Brad Voth and Lee Cowmeadow. Despite the injuries, the Devils have hit form recently, taking nine points from a possible 12.
Basingstoke entered the game coming off three straight wins, including Saturday’s 5-3 home victory over Nottingham. Bison goalie Kevin Reiter had faced a total of 150 games in that stretch and the Devils increased his workload by firing in a total of 39 shots.
Reiter was powerless to stop the Devils’ opener, a redirected shot from Fulton at 4:43. After Silverthorn and Jason Stone combined, Fulton was on hand with a deft touch to score his first Devils goal.
The Devils spent much of the opening frame camped in Bison territory, but the Herd escaped on a series of odd-man rushes, forcing Aubry into action. Later in the opening period Shaun Thompson tested Aubry’s glove with a one-timer that the Devils goalie blocked on to the roof of the cage.
Bison player-coach Eric Braff was penalised for hooking with 2:14 remaining in the period, but Reiter stood tall, leaving the Devils with only a 1-0 lead to end the first.
Braff’s penalty was one of only five minor calls by referee Matt Thompson, who had an easy game to officiate, compared to some of Cardiff’s fixtures this season.
In the second frame, Latulippe widened the margin with his 12th goal of the season. Wes Jarvis sent the puck towards the American forward, who was stationed on the edge of Reiter’s crease, and the Latulippe faked the goalie before flipping the puck in at 29:53.
The Bison were still creating chances in transition and shortly after Danny Stewart pinged a cross-ice feed off the iron Hughes got the Herd back in the game with a marker at 33:49. Stewart and Greg Chambers combined to set up Hughes, who skated in at the far post to bag his 11th of the campaign.
With the Bison back in contention at 2-1, the Devils needed an insurance goal. Before the second period was through, Campbell delivered after converting a sweet move from Prpich and Silverthorn at 38:23.
In the third Prpich lit the lamp with a pinpoint wrister at 43:32, assisted by Campbell and Silverthorn, before the game meandered towards the final horn.
Next weekend the Devils have one of their longest road trips of the season. On Saturday they travel to Edinburgh to take on Mark Hurtubise and the Capitals (6:00pm) before journeying south to Manchester, where David Beauregard and the Phoenix will be waiting on Sunday (5:30pm).
Cardiff’s next home game is the Challenge Cup match against Hull on Wednesday, December 3 (7:30pm).
Statistics:
Devils: Derek Campbell 1+1; Mike Prpich 1+1; Marc Fulton 1+0; Jay Latulippe 1+0; Jason Silverthorn 0+3; Jason Stone 0+1; Wes Jarvis 0+1;
Bison: Brent Hughes 1+0; Danny Stewart 0+1; Greg Chambers 0+1
Period Scores: Devils: 1+2+1=4; Bison: 0+1+0=1
Shots on Goal: Devils: 12+15+12=39; Bison: 5+5+9=19
Penalty Minutes: Devils: 0+4+2=6; Bison: 4+0+0=4
Referee: Matt Thompson
Powerplays: Devils: 0/2; Bison: 0/3
Attendance: 1,234
