Chelmsford 1 - 4 Cardiff Devils (U16)

The Cardiff Devils U16s squad travelled to Essex on the weekend to face the Chelmsford Tomahawks in an U16 A league match.  With the A league season having just 6 weeks remaining the battle for top stop is heating up.  And with top team Romford losing the day before, the Devils knew that they had to win to keep their title hope alive.
 
The first period saw the Devils trying to get their legs going after the long bus trip, and relied upon James Whiting in goal to keep the scores level in the early minutes, as he made several key saves. As the period developed, Cardiff began to get their normal high tempo game going and found their first shot through from Tom Parkinson, testing Matt White in the Chelmsford goal.  The period remained end to end but without a break through marker and finished 0-0.  
 
The Devils were starting the second period on the Power-play after a penalty to home team in the final seconds of the 1st session.  Cardiff wasted no time and after winning the face-off the Devils moved straight into the attack zone, with Owen Bradshaw finding Owen Griffiths, who quickly moved it through to Tom Parkinson who one-timed a strong finish to the back of the Tomahawks goal.  This goal just 6 seconds into the period, and started a very strong second 15 minutes for the Devils. The Devils just 42 seconds later employed a hard fore-check which brought rewards in a second goal for Parkinson as the Devils pressurised the Chelmsford defence forcing a turnover which Parksinon stole and broke through to finish calmly and double the lead.  The second period was all Cardiff as all three lines really outworked their hosts and with this pressure added a third goal from Scott Bird who forced another turnover deep in the Chelmsford end and was rewarded with his goal after collecting a Sam Bryant rebound slotting the puck into the open net and giving Cardiff a commanding lead. 

 
The third period saw the home team come out fired up and trying to get going by being a lot more physical, finishing all their hits.  They got themselves into the period with some early pressure but the Devils defence pairings of Callum Buglass and Elis Sheppard alongside Krystof Gibbon and Alex Stanton-Lewis supported Whiting in goal and kept the Devils tight in the defensive zone.  The Devils were still working hard up front and creating opportunities and with 6 minutes remaining they found a 4th goal, as Parkinson completed his hat-trick.  Callum Buglass broke a Chelmsford attack and sent Parkinson away down the left wing and he cut in to finish high over the goalie’s shoulder completing a strong individual performance.  Chelmsford did manager to find a consolation goal with 4 minutes left as Jake Luton found his own rebound to beat the Devils defence.  This was the first goal the Devils side had conceded in 4 games, and broke a run of 185 minutes of game play without conceding. A great achievement by the Devils.  Final score 4-1 to Cardiff.
 
The Devils have now won 8 straight games in the league.  A run that has taken them to the top three in the league and still having a shout at the top spot, as league leaders Romford come to Cardiff this Saturday, March 17th at 4.30pm.
 
Man of the match- Callum Buglass
 
Shots on goal:
Devils goal: James Whiting/Brython Preece - 25/6 
Tomahawks goal: Matthew White - 22
 
Scorers: Tom Parkinson 3+0, Scott Bird 1+0, Owen Griffiths 0+1, Owen Bradshaw 0+1, Callum Buglass 0+1, Sam Bryant 0+1