Cardiff Devils finally win at home

It didn't come easy and it didn't come pretty but the Cardiff Devils have finally got their first home win of the 2013/14 EIHL season.

The Devils welcomed the Edinburgh Capitals to the Big Blue Tent after a meeting the previous weekend ended with the Devils leaving victorious with a 3 - 1 away win.

Edinburgh had to rely on goalie Tomas Hiadlovsky early on as the Devils were relentless from the offset, immediately setting up in the zone and out working the Capitals but Hiadlovsky held firm, keeping the Devils out.

That lasted all of three minutes as Chris Blight stormed down the ice, pulling off a nice toe-drag to pull Hiadlovsky out of position before setting up Brad Plumton for a nice one-time goal to give the Devils a 1 - 0 lead.

Edinburgh then gained momentum, getting some rare attacking time on the night and eventually drew a penalty against Tyson Marsh for cross checking which set up Martin Cingel for a powerplay goal, just over 90 seconds after falling behind.

Despite the Devils heavily out shooting the Capitals 15 - 6 in the opening period, Hiadlovsky stood strong and kept the scores at 1 - 1 at the first break.

An early penalty in the second period against Brad Plumton for slashing, as well as a 10 minute misconduct for himself and Capitals Les Reaney gave Edinburgh the lead with there second powerplay strike of the game, just 10 seconds in as Michal Dobron deked his way to his knees to lift the puck past Dan LaCosta with 22:40 played.

The Capitals impressive powerplay continued, giving Martin Cingel is second of the game from a nice pass in front from Jade Portwood at 31:05 giving Edinburgh a 3 - 1 lead off three powerplay goals.

The Devils rallied quickly though as less than thirty seconds later the lead was closed as Jake Morrissette bagged his first goal for the Devils at 31.29 making it a 3 - 2 game.

Despite the added pressure by Cardiff, a block and clearance rom Michal Dobron sent Neil Hay on a breakaway and he outsmarted Devils goalie Dan LaCosta to reopen the two goal lead with a 4 - 2 scoreline.

The Devils second period team talk saw a late change as with 33 seconds remaining in the period, Ben Davies finally got himself on the scoresheet with a blast over Hiadlovsky's shoulder to make it 4 - 3 after 40 minutes.

Whatever was said in the Devils dressing room between the second and third period obviously worked as Jake Morrisette, who has struggled since his move to the EIHL netted his second of the game just 33 seconds into the period to tie the scores at 4.

Edinburgh didn't let up and showed that quantity of shots isn't always important as Les Reaney put them ahead once more with his second of the year at 48.34.

But the Devils weren't down, and most certainly weren't out as they stormed to a relentless end of the game.

They responded to falling behind through a blast from Chris Blight was deflected by Max Birbraer to make it 5 - 5 with over 10 minutes to go.

Edinburgh were penalised for hooking and the Devils pounced with defenseman Mark Richardson scored his 5th of the year to give the Devils a 6 - 5 lead.

A 20 shot third period brought more goals with Jake Morrisette completing his hat trick after picking up a rebound in front of net to make it 7 - 5 with less than two minutes remaining.

Then with 15 seconds left, Matt Myers deflected the puck down the ice and chased it to put it in the empty net finished the Devils 8 - 5 come from behind first home win of the year.

The Devils looked visibly relieved as 8 of their 56 shots on the net found the net and gave them confidence ahead of their trip to Sheffield, knowing they've already beaten the Steelers once this year on the road so they can certainly do it again.

Devils Man of the Match - # 11 Mac Faulkner

Capitals Man of the Match - # 23 Les Reaney


SATURDAYS EIHL RESULTS

Sheffield Steelers 2 - 4 Belfast Giants
Dundee Stars 1 - 5 Braehead Clan
Edinburgh Capitals 5 - 8 Cardiff Devils
Coventry Blaze 3 - 5 Nottingham Panthers
Hull Stingrays 4 - 1 Fife Flyers

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