DEVILS COME OUT ON TOP IN FIRST MEETING WITH FOXES

Challenge Match 07-07-2024 Alexandra Palace: London Devils 11 - London Foxes 6

The Devils stormed out to an 8-0 lead before the Foxes pulled back into the game. More to follow...

London Devils: Scoring

Sam Bailey (P. Holbrook, K. Greenberg)
James Laing (T. Elbaz, M. Konsala)
James Laing (S. Bailey, S. Zdatny)
Tal Elbaz (L. Gryzbon, J. Robert)
Marc Corbiel (S. Zdatny, S. Bailey)
Lukasz Gryzbon (A. Thomas)
Sam Bailey (T. Wong, M. Konsala)
Tal Elbaz (unassisted)
Marc Corbiel (S. Bailey, A. Thomas)
Marc Corbiel (P. Holbrook)
Marc Corbiel (S. Bailey)

London Devils: Penalties

T. Wong (hook)

DEVILS LOSE HEARTBREAKER IN OVERTIME

Challenge Match 23-06-2024 Alexandra Palace: Nottingham Northstars 7 - London Devils 6

With London basking in summer sun, and with an unsurprising shortage of rink staff in attendance, Alexandra Palace was the venue for the inaugural London Devils vs Nottingham Stars encounter.

Devils preparation was a little suboptimal for this one. Missing three key forwards in Grant (toe), Greenberg (illness), and Kerner (traffic), and with D-man Yao locked out of the rink, stand -in captain Holbrook arrived 'just-in-time' having finally found a parking spot in Muswell Hill and with an unimpressed daughter in toe. To compound issues, the Boni ice had long melted with rink staff going awol so it was warm Cruzcampo for all. Still, the game drew a record crowd with both sides well represented by WAGS. James Laing even managed to convince his local bar staff to come and watch and provide mid-period refreshments.

With Terry Wong drafted in at the last minute, Devils iced make-shift wing pairings of Jeremy/Sam, Kevin B/Terry, and Holbrook/Misha. Teams looked evenly matched, but despite a 3-man D rotation, it was the Devils who started better and pulled away to a 2-0 lead by end of first. Both Alex and Andrew acquitted themselves impressively at centre and the former scored the first before Laing got his customary one goal per game. Goalie Nikolay was standing on his head at times, to keep his shut-out intact.

The good energy continued in the second stanza, and the Devils pulled to a 3 goal lead courtesy of a nice Arlen pass and Jeremy finished on a 2-on-1 break. The Stars finally for their first midway through the period, and so a period of dominance for the visitors ensued. With Yao now completing a 4-man D rotation, Devils held on and could have taken the lead when a Sam D breakaway was just saved and then a penalty shot was awarded for a stick throw behind play. A somewhat bemused Sam duly stepped up but failed to score with a subtle move. 3-1 at the second intermission.

Things got a little crazy in the third. With Devils in unfamiliar territory (3 x 20mins stop time periods) they lost some discipline. With a bit of offensive profligacy creeping in (missing empty nets, 4-on-1 net torpedoes), and with some defensive lapses creeping in, the Devils pulled to a 5-2 lead with 6 mins left courtesy of an Arlen 'screamer' from the point and a Holbrook dump truck breakaway. Sensing an opportunity, Nottingham stacked their lines and rapidly pulled back 3 to tie it 5-5 with less than a minute remaining. The scene was set and up-steps Misha with a glorious winning goal with 19 seconds left on the clock. Or so it should have proven. Sadly, Devils were already dreaming of warm Cruzcampo and Nottingham levelled 10 seconds later.

After a brief discussion, teams agreed a 6-6 draw would be the official result. Then after a few minutes of 4 on 4 overtime the Stars emerged as unlikely winners. A disappointing end to a great performance and a game played in good spirit. Both teams enjoyed the evening sun and beers at the Phoenix with pizza, ice cream, and crepes thrown in for good measure. Man of the match Nikolay was seen dancing over to the bar and enigmatic Marc C made an appearance on his inspector gadget bike. A great Sunday. -P. Holbrook

London Devils: Scoring

Alex Smith (J. Robert)
James Laing (A. Smith)
Jeremy Robert (A. Dancziger)
Arlen Dancziger (M. Neizvestnov)
Phil Holbrook (T. Wong)
Misha Neizvestnov (P. Holbrook, T. Wong)

London Devils: Penalties

K. Bender (hold)
M. Neizvestnov (hook)

DEVILS EW WINS BACK TO BACK BODEAN'S CUPS WITH WIN OVER NORTH

Bodean's Cup Final 17-06-2024 Lee Valley: Devils EW 5 - Devils North 3

At Lee Valley last night, EW found a way to outlast North in a frantic back and forth contest which saw four lead changes. Both teams sported full benches as the contest got underway with many Devils returning from hiatus making sure they were part of the Finals. A season high crowd of 7 turned up, which included the EW Ultras banging away on some sort of aboriginal drum.

North came out of the gate hot and had EW on the back foot. It was up to Scsorsz to scramble to keep EW in the game for a good portion of the first. The fleet footed Duble and the less than 100% Mulligan carried the play, possessing the puck for stretches of time in the offensive zone. As EW struggled to get shots on North goalie Matt Brown, North spent time buzzing in what looked like a tilted ice surface. North D Richie Clark and James Laing sifted shots through a crowded net front but were unable to convert. Finally it was The Polish Hammer, Lukasz Gryzbon who was able to break the ice. A mad net front scramble found Arlen Dancziger and Matti Konsala engaged with the moored Kevin Leizer as he wacked away at a bouncing puck. Gryzbon moved in to knock in the first goal of the night. EW was unable to cash in on a Leizer slashing penalty and the first period ended 1-0.

In the second period things heated up as 4 goals led to a see-saw affair. EW got on the board with a nice three way passing play. EW centre Sam Bailey started things off in the neutral zone by finding a crossing Andrew Thomas outside the North blue line. As Thomas drew the North D towards him he deftly slid a pass to an activated Dancziger. The rangy Dman one timed a blistering shot past the lunging Brown to pull EW even at 1-1. Next it was Mulligan doing a very "Mulliganly" thing. As EW took an ill advised wholesale change. Laing found Mulligan in his office (the far blue line). The North sniper broke and and zipped a quick shot through the wickets of Scsorsz to put North back ahead 2-1. A few minutes later EW drew even on a nicely executed cycle deep in the North zone. Gary Reid fresh off his weekend nuptials and celebrated his wedding in style. As The Phantom, Jeremy Robert, and winger Andre LeMasurier frantically worked the corner, the veteran Reid popped out from behind the net and was able to knock in a loose puck to make it 2-2. Not to be outdone, it was another veteran Mike Lay putting North back ahead as the game continued to intensify. North defensemen Jon Alcock pinched nicely along the sideboards keeping EW pinned in their zone. Alcock was able to muscle to puck to the slot where Lay pirouetted a shot that eluded Scsorsz and North again had the lead 3-2 heading into the third.

With the 2024 Bodean's Cup on the line the third period got underway. EW drew even in the first minute. Kevin Bender and Thomas continued their strong low game when Bailey fired a sharp angle shot that caught Brown (and everybody else) by surprise and the game was tied, 3-3. EW then made a slight strategic move that found Robert moved to the pivot. The gamble paid off immediately as a nice stretch pass by Dancziger found the high energy forward charging up the right wing. Robert was able to get past the North defender, holding the puck across the crease, and finding a sliver of space to tuck it past Brown to give EW the lead for good at 4-3. With the clock winding down, a frantic last minute shift found EW chaotically defending as Corbeil, Mulligan and Duble relentlessly fought for the tying goal. Despite a few net front battles the puck squirted to Robert who then found Bailey up the ice. Bailey's empty netter sealed the victory as EW breathed a sigh of relief and began their celebration.

Devils North: Scoring

Lukasz Gryzbon - Leizer
James Mulligan - Laing
Mike Lay - Alcock

Penalties

Leizer - Slash

Devils East-West: Scoring

Arlen Dancziger - Thomas, Bailey
Gary Reid - LeMasurier, Robert
Sam Bailey - Thomas, Bender
Jeremy Robert - Dancziger
Sam Bailey - Robert (EN)

Penalties

None