Solent Devils were held to a heart breaking tie, as Cardiff Devils managed to level the score in the final minute of Sunday night’s ice hockey game in Gosport.
Image courtesy of tombarnettphotography.co.uk
Whenever the two NIHL League 1 Devils teams meet, tensions are high as both teams fight to prove who should be the top Devils.
After three minutes, Jamie Fitzpatrick was sent to the sin bin following an interference call by referees and Cardiff used the man advantage to great effect, scoring just 15 seconds after the puck dropped.
The Solent team did not allow this to alter their focus, and little less than three minutes later George Norcliffe got the puck to Richard Facey who went on to beat Ross Miller in the Cardiff goal.
Early in the second period, there were cries of despair from the home crowd, as the Ref didn’t see the puck bounce out of the Cardiff net, and as the Solent Devils were trying to get over the shock, the visitors made their way down the ice narrowly missing the goal but ringing the post like a bell to echo around the rink. By this time, Solent had gathered their wits and picked up the rebound, with George Norcliffe and Richard Facey teaming up again, this time getting the puck to Dominik Hegyi who went on to put Solent ahead.
Image courtesy of tombarnettphotography.co.uk
The Murray brothers were not content with this, however, and with Mitchell setting up Alex managed to bring the score to 3-1 for Solent Devils.
Coming out in to the third period, Cardiff tried everything they could to get back in the game, and the intensity with which they attacked the Solent goal was incredible.
Stephen Gosset was sent to the sin bin, on a roughing call. Shortly after, when trying to clear the puck and knocking it over the netting, Richard Facey was sent to join Gosset for delay of game.
Somehow, the three remaining Solent Devils kept the puck from the net, but 25 seconds after returning to the ice, Gosset was returned to the sin bin for tripping. Cardiff then managed to break through the defence, bringing the score back to within one.
Image courtesy of tombarnettphotography.co.uk
With 14 seconds left to play, Cardiff managed beat Christian Cole in the Solent goal, and tied the game 3-3.
After the game, head coach Alex Murray said, “It was disappointing we couldn’t see out the game, having dominated we took a 3-1 lead into the third and should have killed the game off. Credit to Cardiff who didn’t give up, but for us it’s a point lost rather than a point gained.”
Solent Devils next home game, Sunday 27th September against Wightlink Raiders.
(Game report appeared in The News in Gosport originally)
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