NOTTINGHAM, UK – The 2012 Elite League play off weekend got underway as referee Michael Hicks dropped the puck at 1pm as Gerard Adam’s tenacious Cardiff Devils faced off in the first semi final against the Elite League Champions the Belfast Giants.
The contest was a high paced end to end affair and Cardiff soon got on the scoresheet as Scott Matzka fired past Stephen Murphy after only 2 minutes of action. Devils may have got the early goal however it was Belfast who had the majority of chances in the opening exchanges. Giants were rewarded for their offensive efforts when Jeremy Rebek equalised with a powerplay marker with 7 minutes 21 seconds on the clock.
Giants ran into a little penalty trouble as the 1st period drew to a close as Tom Dignard and Jeff Mason both picked up minor penalties for tripping and delaying the game respectively. Cardiff were unable to create many openings and the session ended with the scores level at 1-1.
Game action
The 2nd period began with Devils on the front foot as Belfast still had 1.21 to kill on Jeff Mason’s delay of the game penalty. Stuart McRae almost fired Cardiff back into the lead however Stephen Murphy was able to thwart the Devils marksmen from close range.
Belfast were continuing to create plenty of chances though as their forward unit of Jon Pelle, Mike Hoffman and Paul Deniset caused problems for the Cardiff defence. Hoffman had a great chance after some nice work from Pelle however Stevie Lyle was equal to the effort from the GiantS forward.
Cardiff continued to look dangerous on the counter attack and took the lead once again after 35 minutes when Scott Dobben fired home assisted by Matzka and Batch. Devils extended their lead on 51 minutes when British forward Luke Piggott put his side 3-1 ahead with a rare strike.
Sscramble infront of the net
Giants were never going to give up the game and Doug Christiansen’s side made it 3-2 when Aaron Clarke lit the lamp after 55 minutes. Craig Peacock misfired shortly afterwards after some nice work from Jeremy Rebek however Belfast did not have to wait long for the equaliser as Mike Hoffman beat Lyle after (58 minutes) from close range after an almighty scramble in front of the net.
With scores level at 3-3 a 10 minute period of 4 on 4 overtime hockey began. Both sides understandably played cagey hockey in the extra 10 minutes of action and few genuine chances were created as the semi final went into penalty shots.
Giants on the attack
Kenton Smith stepped forward to take the first shot for Devils and beat Stephen Murphy with a great strike. Giants were unable to convert any of their 3 attempts and Cardiff made it through to the final with a 1-0 penalty shot success.
Scorers –
Belfast
Clarke 1+1, Rebek and Hoffman 1+0, Mason 0+2, Pelle and Dowd 0+1
Cardiff –
Dobben and Matzka 1+1, Piggott 1+0, Davies, Batch, Vanderveeken and Adams 0+1
Penalties –
Belfast 10 mins, Cardiff 12 mins
Man of the Match –
Belfast – Stephen Murphy Cardiff – Stevie Lyle
Pro Hockey News will have reports and post match reaction from all games over Play Off weekend
Photos courtesy of Colin Edwards
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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