Canterbury Red Devils Brought 4 Points from Queenstown (+Video)

July 15, 2012 - The Canterbury Red Devils travelled to Queenstown for Friday and Saturday night games against the Southern Stampede. Needing to keep pace with the league leading Dunedin Thunder, these games were of vital importance.

The first game started in the Stampede's favor with a goal to Brett Speirs. Not long after, Chris Eaden would tie the game. With 5 minutes to go Valery Konev scored on a nice individual effort with James Kirkwood repeating the feat moments later. Unfortunately a defensive lapse gave Southern captain Simon Glass an easy shot in the slot to pull within 1 goal before the end the period.

The second period was highlighted by Red Devils penalty trouble that let Southern back in the game. Two goals saw Southern take a 4-3 lead. Justin Findlay was inexplicably ejected in the second period as well to add the penalty trouble.

The third period started on the penalty kill and the Red Devils almost escaped the extended 5 on 3 but Southern scored on a goal mouth scramble. Near the midway point Canterbury played smarter hockey and scored two through Pavel Novak and James Kirkwood. Extended pressure didn't result in a game winning goal and overtime loomed.

The best chance in overtime was a Pavel Novak slap shot that rang off the post. 5 minuted of pressure couldn't hold off a shoot out.

Unfortunately the shoot out went Southern's way assuring them of two points and Canterbury getting a one point consolation for their 3rd period fight back.

The second game saw a renewed effort by Canterbury to not get drawn into chippy play that would result in penalties. Extended penalty killing was to be avoided. The results were instant with the Red Devils controlling most of the play in the first. Good goaltending for Southern meant Canterbury would only score one in the period from a Chris Eaden wrister.

The second period saw Canterbury control for long spells again but breakdowns at the wrong time gave Southern two goals. The first was a back door goal were the player was left undefended and the second was a turnover while on the power play. The Red devils would score another to ensure a 2-2 game going into the third.

The third period was fast and furious with Canterbury taking a lead but Southern replying later in the period to tie it at 3 again. Fortunately Chris Eaden scored the eventual game winner in the late stages of the third. Southern pulled their goalie and crashed the Red Devils net hard but a fortuitous bounce and long range Gabe Yeung shot found the empty net for a 5-3 lead and Canterbury win. Although disappointed at not winning Friday night, the team still took 4 out of 6 available points and is still in a good position to climb the leader board at season's end. The end of the game also saw a number of skirmishes that resulted in possible suspensions.

With next weekend off, the Red Devils will rest and prepare for our home round against the West Auckland Admirals who are stringing a lot of wins together. The games will a tough battle between two of the leagues form teams.