Third Period Fight Back in Cardiff – Devils Take the Points
A tough night in Cardiff for the Steelers, trailing 3-0 after the first period and 5-0 after the second.
Steelers came back in the final period with goals from Ciampini, Balmas and Simpson but it was too little too late for Aaron Fox’s side and a 6-3 defeat.
Steelers started with our new goalie Jere Huhtamaa between the pipes, it was a tough start for him playing his first game just a couple of days after arriving on these shores.
In good news, Robert Dowd returned to the line up after the missing the weekends games.
Period 1.
Devils on the front foot from the start, trying to get as much rubber on the Steelers new goalie as soon as possible.
04.03 and the Devils lead 1-0 as Josh MacDonald fires one through Huhtamaa with Joey Martin assisting.
Cardiff had more chances as desperate defending succeeded in keeping the score to 1-0
Steelers then got themselves into the game creating chances of their own
Watling found Balmas, save Bowns, Ciampini shot, save Bowns.
09.18 Penalty Steelers Joona Huttula 2 x check to the head
Steelers killed the Devils one man advantage and took that momentum on to create more chances.
Ciampini was the provider this time as Watlings effort was denied by Bowns.
Watling then had a breakaway but Bowns saved not once but twice
Shot from the point was also saved and Dowdy was there on the follow up but Bowns denied
16.02 and the Devils, against the run of play doubled their advantage, Ben Davies long range shot wasn’t held on to and as the puck dropped Davies was there to tap home his own rebound. Devils led by 2
16.36 and frustration from Golod and MacWilliam saw them both head to the box
17.32 and the Devils made it 3-0 with a long range effort from Fournier that went right through Huhtamaa
Duke had a chance to make it 4 but shot inches wide, whilst at the other end Balmas went close as the final buzzer sounded and the Steelers head back to the dressing room to regroup.
Second Period
Steelers started well, on the attack and creating, then Duke broke down the left wing and an inch perfect pass to Perlini gave the Devils their 4th at 22.31
24.28 and Devils had their 5th, a blast from the point deflected past Huhtamaa and the horror night continued for Aaron Fox’s side.
Steelers then created more chances throughout the period but couldn’t get that first one past Bowns.
Guimond with a blast that Simpson failed to get a tip on, Diffley with a nice play that forced a save, Watling fed Brandon Whistle for a chance from the right win, still nothing going past Bowns.
Vallerand from a feed off Watling, close again, Golod cuts in off his off wing and Bowns gets his bad to it.
At the other end Brandt breaks free but Huhtamaa denies and covers up
Balmas with a one timer that his the post, Watling and Whistle with a couple of close chances but nothing to show
Steelers trail 5-0 after 40 minutes
Third Period.
It got worse before it got better for the Steelers, after a decent start to the period and more chances created, it was the Devils who again struck
Making it 6-0 was Cole Sanford with a one time blast beating Huhtamaa on an odd man rush
47.37 and Steelers beat Ben Bowns at last, a nice finish after a feed from Mikko Juusola. (6-1)
49.00 Simpson involved with Brandt, after the Devils forward reacted to Simmers hit on Duggan. Brandt got the 2 and 10 instigator, Steelers power-play time.
Devils killed but Steelers created, Juusola fed Watling who went close though Devils broke and Huhtamma made a save with Guimond coming in and ensuring the loose puck was kept safe
Vallerand inches past the post, Shudra’s shot saved by Bowns, our boys didn’t give up
56.15 Devils penalty, delay of game as the puck goes over the glass, Gourley serves the minor.
Cormier to Vallerand but his shot is blocked.
58.11 and Steelers score their second, a blast from close range from Balmas beats Bowns high with Guimond and Ciampini assisting on the power-play goal
59.47 and a back hand execution from Simpson in the final moments to score the Steelers 3rd and to make a final score of Cardiff Devils 3-6 Steelers
Next Home Game on Saturday Vs Nottingham Panthers
Saturday 30th November
Steelers vs Nottingham Panthers
Face Off 7.00pm
Doors Open 6.00pm
Tickets “Buy HERE”
