First home game of the ice hockey season today, a ‘friendly’ against the Belfast Giants. It wasn’t very friendly, and this full on scrap broke out. Once players take their gloves off, then the full penalty ensues. I thought this was where the phrase ‘the gloves are off’ had derived from, but the Internet tells me it’s a boxing idiom.

Picked up our Cardiff Devils season tickets today. I’ve not been a season ticket holder for any sport before, will be interesting to see whether I get value from them, and whether it changes the way you attend games. Season starts on Sunday, so expect hockey related blips on a regular basis from then.

My daughter and I are fans of the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team. They had one of those dodgy owners, and an appalling year last year, with players not being paid, and sackings. A few weeks ago we thought they were going out of business, but then some new owners came in, led by Todd Kelman, the former MD of the Belfast Giants.
Tonight they held a free [url=http://www.cardiffdevils.com/news/devils-news/meet-the-owners-event-preview/]meet the owners event [/url]at the Cardiff Museum, where they announced their plans and unveiled new signings. It was great, Kelman is a good performer, and like many people who are excellent at their job, he makes doing the right thing seem so simple.
Exciting times ahead for the Devils, roll on September.

Went to last Cardiff Devils home game of the season tonight. We won 7-2 against the rather poor Edinburgh Capitals. Here, Kurka scores for us.

Went to see Cardiff Devils play Coventry Blaze tonight. It was St David’s day so the Devils have a special jersey, only worn for this game. They then auction off in the bar afterwards, so cynical people may think it’s about making money and not national pride, but they did look resplendent in green.
Here our best player, and daughter’s favourite, Kurka, contemplates his return after 3 weeks of illness. He went on to score our first goal and we were 3-0 up in the first period. Entirely predictably we then drew 3-3 and lost on penalties. Ho hum. Happy St David’s Day anyway.

Went to see Cardiff Devils play Sheffield Steelers tonight. Wandered round to stand behind the penalty box at one stage. Here, Max “Boom Boom” Birbraer is serving a two minute penalty.

Went to see the Cardiff Devils against the Nottingham Panthers tonight. We gave away three poor goals, and then fought back, scoring with 5 minutes to go and then equalising with a minute left on the clock. We then scored the sudden death goal in overtime, and everyone went a bit potty. Well played lads.

Went to see the Cardiff Devils play the Sheffield Steelers tonight. This is the new keeper, Cook, at the start of the game. He went on to block two shots in the decisive shootout to give us victory. It was a feisty game, lots of fighting, penalties and ended 3 apiece in normal time. We had shouted ourselves hoarse by the time we left.

Went to see the Cardiff Devils play the Belfast Giants ice-hockey match tonight with my daughter. This player (Conboy) was bodychecked and lay flat out for a while. It got everyone quite agitated. We lost 2-1 in the end, but it was a good game. I quite like ice-hockey, although I have to confess I don’t know why fouls are given half the time.