DEVILS SOUTH RALLIES TO TIE DEVILS E-W

Bodean's Cup Match 22-04-2024 Lee Valley: Devils South 5 - Devils East-West 5

Behind a hat trick from the “Talisman” and timely stops from tender Pasha Scsorsz, Devils South found a way to tie EW 5-5 last night at Lee Valley.

With 20 minutes to puck drop a perplexed Nikolai Scsorsz greeted the EW carpool line in the Lee Valley lobby as the EW locker room was bare. But then Sam Bailey, fresh from a blistering Heathrow run, an inquisitive or some may say confused Eugene Gorelik, and finally Theo Abban walked through the door and it was game on.

South got on the board first at the 9 minute mark with a unique Penalty Shot awarded to Tal Elbaz, which was expertly converted. EW came storming back with 3 unanswered goals. Sam Bailey cagily intercepted a John Yao pass walking in alone and zipping a wrister past Scsorsz jr. A few minutes lates it was Bailey again as a goal mouth pass intended for Jeremy Robert deflected off the South defender into the net. With a 2-1 lead Robert then converted, following nice passing from Bailey and tireless EW dman Matti Konsala. South fought back right at the end of the period with Patrice Kerner knocking in a goalmouth scramble following offensive zone work by teammates Ian Williams and Jon Yao to close the gap to 3-2 EW.

In the second it was South drawing even 3-3. As the evasive Elbaz continued dominate possession, he traded passes with Misha Neizvestnov. The veteran winger found Elbaz in the high slot and the South sniper fired a shot past the screened Nikolai Scsorsz. Each side traded chances with Terry Wong just missing converting and one and EW ringing the post at the other. Finally at the midway point of the game it was EW pulling ahead. Just inside the EW blue line Bob Chebator knocked down a South crossing pass attempt then immediately fired a stretch pass to the streaking Gary Reid. The rangy winger crossed the blue line and fired a quick far side shot beating Pasha Scsorsz to put EW back ahead 4-3. Before the period ended EW extended their lead to 5-3 as Gorelik made an impact in his season debut knocking in a shot from close range.

In the third period each team traded chances with neither able to convert. Then with 12 minutes remaining, a hooking call on EW defender Arlen Dancziger put South on the PP. South forward Patrice Kerner patiently held the puck on the side board. He crept forward and managed to fire a short side shot passed a screened EW Scsorsz to pull South within one, 5-4. As the clock wound down to the 8 minute mark a “rare” slashing penalty on South defender Dumas Maugile put EW on the PP. As the penalty was about to expire Elbaz was able to break free across the blue line and convert a SHG to tie the game at 5-5. As the buzzer rang one last South attempt was thwarted and both teams retired to their respective locker rooms pondering what could have been. -BC

Devils EW: Scoring

Sam Bailey (unassisted)
Sam Bailey (M. Greaves)
Jeremy Robert (S. Bailey, M. Konsala)
Gary Reid (B. Chebator)
Eugene Gorelik (A. Dancziger)

Devils EW: Penalties

B. Chebator (slash)
A. Dancziger (hook)

Devils South: Scoring

Tal Elbaz (penalty shot)
Patrice Kerner (I. Williams, J. Yao)
Tal Elbaz (M. Neizvestov)
Patrice Kerner (unknown assist)
Tal Elbaz (unassisted)

Devils South: Penalties

D. Maugile (slash)

DEVILS OUTGUN STREATHAM CHIEFS AT LEE VALLEY

Challenge Match 15-04-2024 Lee Valley: London Devils 7 - Streatham Chiefs 3

As the first period got underway, it was the visitors who struck first. The Chiefs scored first on a breakaway by their speedy youngster who took advantage of James Laing who got caught between stepping up and chirping.

The Devils answered that with Tal Elbaz doing Tal things and sniping a shot off the post and in. Laing then redeemed himself - after the puck was shot high and wide by Sam Bailey it bounced back off the top of the net and James Mulligan passed it from behind the net to a wide open Laing who sat down, had a cup of tea and then, with their goalie sliding well out of the net, calmly slotted home to make it 2-1.

The Devils stepped up the forecehck and when Marc Corbeil and Mulligan forced a turnover right onto the stick of Bailey, he rifled home over the goalie's shoulder for a 3-1 lead.

Before the first ended Bailey chipped the puck past their pinching defender to allow Corbeil a chance at a break – he beat a d-man before he put a nice little backhand over the goalie's pad. 4-1 Devils.

The Chiefs responded quickly though to draw it back to 4-2 before the end of the period with their best player, a D man sporting similar St Mike's Majors pants as Mike Fox, undressing Laing and tucking in his own rebound.

In the second period, the Chiefs came out with much more pressure and urgency - while the Devils looked flat. It took a while for the period to settle as it was a bit back and forth, without any goals being scored. The Chiefs' youngster scored again making it 4-3 and the game was poised for a tight second half, despite the majority of the play having been dominated by the Devils.

The Devils woke up and were given a good injection from the pace of the line of Harry Grant, Quinby Duble, and Terry Wong. Duble took a pass from Sam Zdatny and sped down the ice to finish nicely round the keeper to make it 5-3

In the third period, Tal Elbaz then went full Tal (again) and dipsy-doodled around 3-4 players before firing a shot off the post and in, extending the lead and giving his team some breathing space.

Tight checking resumed at 6-3 – with the Devils showing they weren’t willing to let the Chiefs get back in the game with some great forechecking and two amazing backchecks. First by Grant who chased a man down from the offensive dot to the top of his own circle to steal the puck and prevent a scoring chance. Then Jeremy Robert busting it back after losing the puck while our D were in the middle of a ropey change.

Penalties started to pile up on both sides as the game slowed down and the ref found his whistle. With a couple of Devils being a little over-zealous using their body and the chiefs wielding their sticks, the flow of the game slowed right down with many PPs and PKs.

The Devils took advantage on the PP when their captain (I think) got called for an egregious slash to the stick of Duble. Mulligan, Bailey, and Corbeil worked the puck around well down low before Bailey found Finnish D-man Matti Konsala who slapped home a PP marker to make it 7-3. The PK also did its job killing all 4 penalties.

Nikolai Scorscz in goal was stellar, shutting down anything from the midway point onwards. With a large amount of family in friends in the audience, his contribution increased the Devils’ attendance for the year by 6,000%! -JM

London Devils: Scoring

Tal Elbaz (M. Neizvestnov)
James Laing (J. Mulligan)
Sam Bailey (unassisted)
Marc Corbeil (S. Zdatny)
Quinby Duble (S. Zdatny)
Tal Elbaz (unassisted)
Matti Konsala (S. Bailey, J. Mulligan)

London Devils: Penalties

M. Niezvestnov (cross-check)
J. Mulligan (cross-check)
T. Elbaz (cross-check)
T. Elbaz (slash)

MULLIGAN LEADS NORTH OVER E-W IN HIGH-SCORING GAME

Bodean's Cup Match 25-03-2024 Lee Valley: Devils North 9 - Devils East-West 5

In a clash that promised excitement from the get-go, East West (EW) faced off against Devils North in the latest instalment of the Bodean's Cup.

The action kicked off with a bang as James Mulligan of North capitalized on a tipped shot to net an unconventional first goal, bunting the puck out of mid air past the EW keeper on the first shift. But EW wasted no time retaliating, with Sam Bailey showcasing his speed and skill to level the score with two dazzling goals that left Pasha in a state of bewilderment (both at Bailey’s speed and skill, but also at the play of the team in front of him, giving the puck away to one of EW’s best players on numerous occasions)

As the second period commenced, the wear and tear on the ice became evident, slowing down the pace of play.

North wasted no time in asserting their presence, as Quniby's gritty determination paid off with a game-tying goal. A deft tip over Nikolay's shoulder from a shot by James Laing, leveling the score and reigniting North's hopes.

EW refused to be deterred, launching a swift counterattack that caught North's defense off guard. With Theo slipping behind the opposing blue line, he capitalized on the opportunity with a sublime five-hole finish on a breakaway, restoring EW's lead in spectacular fashion.

Determined to keep pace, North showed their determination once again, with Alex Smith's slick passing setting up Mulligan for a hat-trick goal that left the game deadlocked once more.

Bailey, not to be outdone, took matters into his own hands, burying a magnificent goal off a clearance pass from a North defenseman, completing his hat trick and propelling EW back into the lead.

North replied, led by the relentless Alex Smith, levelling the score once more with a clinical finish that showcased his "silky mitts".

As the game entered the third period, the pace slowed further, and North's gritty style of play came to a fore. A relentless forecheck from Quniby set the stage for North's first lead since the opening shift, as Marc Corbiel capitalized on a pass from Mulligan to put North ahead.

Mulligan, showcasing his “defensively responsible” approach, then took a three zone pass from Alex at the EW blue line before charging in alone and scoring a crucial goal, extending North's lead and solidifying their grip on the game.

With EW beginning to bend under North's relentless pressure, Alex delivered a final blow, unleashing a laser beam of a shot that sailed past Nikolay's glove, sealing North's hard-fought comeback with an 8-5 lead.

Mulligan capped off his fantastic performance with a fifth goal, as he ripped a shot off Nikolay’s blocker - the rebound looped up and over the keeper dropping just over the line. Marc claimed he touched it, but the scoresheet read otherwise.

The North emerged victorious with a 9-5 win, epitomizing their trademark resilience. It was a testament to their ability to bend but not break, securing another come-from-behind win. -JM/CGPT

Devils North: Scoring

James Mulligan (J. Alcock)
James Mulligan (M. Corbiel)
Quinby Duble (J. Laing)
James Mulligan (A. Smith)
Alex Smith (unassisted)
Marc Corbiel (J. Mulligan, Q. Duble)
James Mulligan (A. Smith)
Alex Smith (K. Leizer)
James Mulligan (Q. Duble)

Devils E-W: Scoring

Sam Bailey (K. Bender)
Sam Bailey (G. Reid)
Theo Abban (A. Dancziger)
Theo Abban (A. Dancziger)
Sam Bailey (unassisted)