A match reprot by me, for a change :-)
Wow!!!!!!
Sorry, had to get that out of my system. Fraid I was (technically) working, and so didn't get a chance to make any notes. Therefore, this all from memory, at 3am after a 4 hour drive home :-)
Bracknell looked to be in trouble when, only 29 seconds into the match, Mike MacWilliam belted the puck over Bernie's shoulder for the first goal of the night. We settled in for a rough time. The next ten or so minutes were spent mostly in Bracknell's zone, with several close shaves. However, a penalty to Sacratini on 10:30 gave Bracknell the chance for a breather. The rest must have done them good, because 55 seconds later Junkin found McCosh in the centre, and he shot past Caprice to level the scores. Phew, we thought, lets just hold it! However, 1-1 in the Furnace just isn't good enough for Bracknell these days, and sure enough, at 15:20, Brant received the puck on the point and smashed it past Caprice (who I doubt saw it!). And so the first period ended 2-1 to Bracknell. Despite hitting the post twice, Cardiff couldn't fnd any way past Bernie. Can it last?!
Oh yes it can. 26:46 into the game, Greg Burke saw Tom Gomes speeding towards the blue line, and released him into Devil's zone totally unmarked. He had plenty of time on the 1-on-1 to deke Caprice and tuck it past him, to make it 3-1 to Bracknell. And at 34:08 Junkin picked up a loose puck in front of the net and sent it home to make it 4-1 to Bracknell. Considering his form recently, there was no surprises at the way he celebrated. Rob Stewart also missed an absolute sitter this period. Chief had pulled Caprice over towards the far post before squaring the puck for Rob, who had the whole net to aim for from only a yard out. Somehow, he managed not just to miss, but to send it back across the keeper and into the far corner.
Into the third, and it's looking like Bracknell could do it! Bracknell went four goals clear on 45:59, when a great move by Whistle and Ferras saw the puck sent square across the ice one way, then one-timed back the other, before they found the Chief unmarked near the crease, who placed it behind a dizzy Caprice. The game was put out of reach at 51:58 with a fantastic powerplay effort by Davie Whistle, with the best goal of the night. Bracknell won the face-off, and Chief sent a cross shot towards the crease. Whis, standing at the top of the slot with his back to goal, somehow managed to get the meerest of flicks to completely bamboozle Caprice and send the puck into the twine. Then again, of course, he may never have seen it coming and just got lucky! :-)
So, 6-1 to the Bracknell Bees! Who'd have thought it? On the whole, I think Bracknell deserved the result. Although it would be unfair to say Devils weren't trying or didn't care, they never seemed to go for the jugular. Maybe they're just in a losing syndrome right now. So, with results elsewhere going our way, Bracknell have clinched their first ever semi-final place. Certainly worth the drive down to see. I just hope we can get the two points on saturday to ensure we avoid the Eagles in the semi.
Bernie was excellent for Bracknell, stopping everything but that first shot, although riding his luck admitedly with a few. Matty Cote was on fire, and really should have had MOM. He made countless critical blocks, either diving in front or being the last defender. He looked class the whole game through, back to the old Matty. Also, the Chief looks to be regaining his form of yesteryear, and is starting to influence matches again.
I thought that the ref, Smart, had an excellent game. Although this was never particularly nasty, I was impressed with the way he kept tight control on the match. He made it clear he was having no back chat, and I think the players knew what they could and couldn't get away with. In the past, I thought Smart has let too much go, resulting in fights breaking out, but I'm revising my opinion. Also, does anyone know how they show SOGs in Cardiff? The "Home" one had 60 shots on it, but is that the number of shots by Cardiff, or on them? Personally, I can rmeber Bernie making plenty of saves, but surely not sixty, and I'm certain the Bees never had that many shots. Maybe the Devil's have imported one of Bracknell's goal judges? :-)