By guest columnist Peter Ryan

Cardiff Devils played back-to-back in the Vindico Arena at the weekend, welcoming the Coventry Blaze and Nottingham Panthers.

Despite their best efforts, both games ended in defeat. The team have laid a solid foundation over recent weeks for the long season ahead.

A close encounter with the Coventry Blaze

In South Wales on Saturday night, the Coventry Blaze silenced the home crowd with a 6-5 regulation win over the Devils. The game swung wildly, but the Blaze held their nerve when it mattered most.

Ryan Barrow glided past the opposition to open the scoring. Brett Perlini and Brandon Estes scored to give their team a 3-0 lead early on. The Blaze answered back when Alessio Luciani gave his team their first goal.

The second period was packed with action. Matthew Gleason got the puck over the line for the Blaze, and this was followed up by a Sam Ruffin goal to level the contest. Barrow doubled up to regain the lead.

Heading into the final period, it was all even after Jack Hopkins scored. The Blaze came out in the final period, firing on all cylinders with Colton Saucerman’s rapid goal to take the lead.

The Devils responded in kind with Sam Duggan equalising heading into the closing stages. With the player advantage, Grant Mismash got the perfect touch on Saucerman’s drive, restoring the Blaze’s advantage. The Devils pushed hard but were unable to get another goal. The Blaze secured the victory in a hectic encounter; next up, the Nottingham Panthers.

A tough defeat to the Nottingham Panthers

While Saturday was an entertaining and tight affair, on Sunday, it was a tough defeat for the Devils.

Going into the game, the Devils were missing key players, including captain Joey Martin and Connor Caponi, who were both injured. The first period was uneventful as there were good chances, but they weren’t converted as the opening 20 minutes finished goalless.

Well into the second period, the Panthers broke the deadlock with a goal from Didrik Henbrant, giving his side the lead. The final period saw the Panthers score four unanswered goals.

With Ben Davies serving a boarding penalty, Tim Doherty struck on the power play to extend the Panthers’ lead. Goals from Matt Marcinew, Mitchell Fossier, and Zsombor Garat secured an excellent win for the Panthers. Next weekend, the Elite League gets underway, where the Devils will welcome the Blaze back to Cardiff Bay.

Up next

The Devils, a team with a strong track record, are determined to bounce back after two defeats. They have performed well throughout the season so far, and despite not yet beating the Blaze, they are hopeful for a vital win in the upcoming weekend.

This weekend may have tripped them up, but for a team as relentless as the Devils, it’s only fuel for their fire to rise again.

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