Raiders blank Devils

ISLE OF WIGHT, UK – The Wightlink Raiders continued their strong start to the season with a 5-0 victory over the previously unbeaten Cardiff Devils. The Raiders came into this game in confident mood after an impressive 5-2 win at Streatham Redskins the previous weekend. However the Devils proved themselves to be difficult opponents providing the Raiders with the first real test of their abilities in front of their own supporters. This was an entertaining feisty and at points down right bad tempered affair. Referee Adam Hames issued a total of 108 minutes in penalties, 72 of which were awarded against the home team. Tempers were always on edge and after the buzzer to end the first period things boiled over resulting in a confrontation involving almost all the players. When the dust had settled the referee issued numerous penalties including 2+2+2 plus a misconduct to Raiders player coach Jeremy Cornish for incitement. This did seem to be a particularly harsh call as the Devils youngster Adam Wood seemed to be out to make a name for himself by engaging the veteran enforcer. Cornish though demonstrated that his reputation as a fighter is well deserved and the youngster ended much the sorrier of the combatants. The referee continued to frustrate both the home players and supporters with a succession of calls against the Raiders which led to the Devils spending over 9 minutes of the second period on the powerplay. Despite this Toby Cooley in the Raiders net was relatively untroubled and was reasonably comfortable in claiming his shutout. Toby has yet to concede a goal at home for the Raiders this season. The first period was physical but fairly even until Steve Gosset opened the scoring at 15:55. The Devils then seemed to lose concentration and the Raiders added two more quick counters from captain Danny Hughes at 18:29 and import John Sarno at 19:08. The second period was scoreless then James Udall at 47:05 and a superb second strike from Danny Hughes at 58:36 completed the scoring. This result moves the Raiders level on points with the Devils, tucked in behind favourites for the title the Invicta Dynamos. The Raiders now travel to Oxford and Peterborough hoping to consolidate their position in the table before the Dynamos visit the Ice Cube for what is sure to be storming encounter. Contact Dave.logan@prohockeynews.com