Report: Cardiff Devils 5 – 1 Coventry Blaze

Date: Saturday September 22, 2018

Venue: Ice Arena Wales, Cardiff

Competition: EIHL Challenge Cup

by Ian Fitzell

CARDIFF Devils took the spoils with a defiant derby win over Coventry Blaze at Ice Arena Wales on Saturday.

Former Thorold Blackhawks Mike Hedden, Joey Martin and Sean Bentivoglio had a hand in three of the home side’s five goals in the Challenge Cup clash. They rounded off a fast-paced game with a dominant four goal final period for the home side.

The Devils were missing the influential Justin Faryna and defensive stalwart Mark Richardson but coach Andrew Lord made full use of his bench – including young Scott Craig Moore who gave a good performance in the weakened Cardiff defence.

The Blaze were missing starting netminder Miika Wiikman through injury, so coach Danny Stewart started with backup goalie Jordan Hedley in nets. The 22 year old posted a man of the match performance.

Walsall native Hedley, a former Milton Keynes Lightning keeper in his first season with the Midlands club, looked a worthy replacement for the hugely experienced Wiikman, facing a total of 34 shots from the Devil’s attack.

The travelling fans enjoyed an end-to-end opening few minutes. The deadlock was finally broken by Devils man of the match Hedden at 7:39, who scored the only goal of the period from neat interplay with Martin, which saw Hedden slot home his first of two.

The Devils barely had time to settle into the second period when Alex Nikiforuk opened the Blaze account with a nicely taken unassisted goal, shooting high past Ben Bowns at 20:29. The Devils adopted a more physical game as a result, with power forward Matt Pope executing some of the biggest hits.

Charlie Linglet thought he had restored the Devils lead with 3:44 left in the period when he followed up on his initial shot on Hedley, firing at his body from behind the Coventry net for a rebound that looked to be his first of the night.

But the home fans’ celebrations turned to groans of disapproval when referee Dean Smith indicated that the puck had not crossed the line.

Frustration from both sides boiled over at the end of the period when a melee erupted in front of the Blaze goal and continued as the players left the ice for the period break. No penalties were called but there was an undercurrent from the altercation that ran for the remainder of the game.

With the game tied and all to play for in the final period, the Blaze continued their hardworking game, but it was the Thorold connection that again restored the Devil’s lead. Bentivoglio found Martin unmarked deep in the heart of Blaze zone, with the league MVP racing away to score from his own rebound at the 44th minute mark.

Further pressure from the Devils saw them extend their lead though Captain Jake Morrissette, pouncing upon another Hedley rebound to beat the sprawling Blaze keeper, assisted by Layne Ulmer and Benny Blood.

The Devils’ fourth came from Hedden with his second of the night. It followed an unsuccessful coach’s video challenge from Blaze coach Stewart. Referees Smith and Matt Rose awarded the goal after a lengthy video review.

The scoring was rounded off when Linglet found assistant captain Layne Ulmer unmarked in front of the Blaze net and the former New York Ranger beat Hedley.

Tempers again flared as the game looked out reach for the Blaze. Following another melee in front of the Blaze goal, Devils’ Mark Louis and Blaze Trey Lewis decided to settle things with a heavyweight bout.

Much to the disappointment of the crowd, the officials broke them up before the fight could start, despite both being willing combatants. The resultant penalties allowed the Devils to run down the clock and close out the game on the power play, maintaining their unbeaten record in the Challenge Cup.

The Devils continue their PredictorBet Elite League title defence when they face the Sheffield Steelers in Yorkshire today, (Sunday). Under pressure coach Paul Thompson has strengthened his squad with the addition of 39 year old GB international Brendan Brooks after the recent departure of the Rupert twins Matt and Ryan.

Match Stats

Devils

Mike Heddon 2+0, Joey Martin 1+1, Layne Ulmer 1+1, Jake Morrissette 1+0, Matt Pope 0+2, Sean Bentivoglio 0+1, Benny Blood 0+1, Steven Dixon 0+1, Charlie Linglet 0+1, Bryce Reddick 0+1

PIMS – 8

SOG – 34

MoM – Mike Hedden

Blaze

Alex Nikiforuk 1+0

PIMS – 6

SOG – 23

MoM – Jordan Hedley

Period Scores
First – 1:0
Second – 0:1
Third – 4:0

(All images by Ian Fitzell)