Sunday 11 July 2010

Heading into Sundays game against the Stampede, the Red Devils were feeling confident after thrashing the Stampede 10-3 the night before. Sundays game, however, did not give the Red Devils the result they were after as they were victimized by slow starts to lose to the Stampede 7-4.

The Stampede came out of the gates flying and jumped on the Red Devils early as Brett Speirs received a pass from Connor Harrison at the top of the circle and whistled a shot that beat Justin Findlay low to the glove. The teams traded opportunities for the next seven minutes until Michael OKeefe banged home a pass from Connor Harrison behind the net giving the Stampede a 2-0

advantage. The Red Devils responded less than three minutes later on the power-play. Mike Everding sent a cross ice pass to Nick DOnofrio who found Chris Eaden on the far side for the goal to bring the Red Devils back to within one. The rest of the period remained scoreless and the teams

entered intermission with the Stampede leading 2-1.

As in the first period, the Stampede jumped on the Red Devils early scoring two quick goals within the first two minutes of the period. Daniel Smith received a pass from Jamie Moore-Carter and slipped one by the Red Devils net minder. Less than one minute later, Ryan OKeefe streaked down

the side and fired a shot that found the back of the net. The Red Devils, however, would battle back scoring two of their own in the period. Hayden Argyle scored an unassisted goal on the power play at the five minute mark to bring the score to 4-2. Two minutes later, Chris Eaden fed Dan Nicholls

on the point and he fired a shot that was heading wide when Nick DOnofrio gloved the puck down and was able to slide it by Stampede goaltender Aston Brooks to again bring the Red Devils within one. The rest of the period saw both teams get a bit undisciplined as eight minor penalties were called within the final 10 minutes. The Red Devils and the Stampede had their chances, but neither was able to capitalize and the teams headed into the locker room with the Red Devils trailing by one.

The Red Devils were finally able to strike first in the third period as Chris Eaden scored shorthanded after receiving a feed from Bertrand Bergeron tying the score at four. However, the Stampede were not to be denied this night as they responded with three unanswered goals to put the game out of

reach. At the 14 minute mark, Brett Speirs received a feed from Michael OKeefe from behind the net to score his second of the game. Speirs was not done as he netted his third of the game seven minutes later shorthanded to put the Stampede up 6-4. The Red Devils changed goalies to try and

turn the momentum back in their favour, but it was all for not as Connor Harrison beat Red Devils goaltender Lyndal Heineman high on the glove side with four minutes remaining in the game. The rest of the game was very physical as nine minor penalties were called in the last four minutes.

The final score was 7-4 to Tararua Real Iced Coffee Southern Stampede.

The total shots on goal for the game were 39 for the Red Devils to 29 for the Stampede

The total penalties were 36 for the Red Devils to 46 for the Stampede