Ice Hockey: Weakened Devils left burned by the Blaze

Jan 21 2008 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo

CARDIFF Devils have suffered two heavy defeats against Elite League ice hockey leaders Coventry Blaze – and picked up another injury blow.

Key defenceman Tyson Teplitsky missed the third period of Cardiff's 5-1 home defeat against Coventry and missed their crushing 8-1 loss at the Skydome last night.

Coventry have now won seven successive matches.

It was a weekend to forget for a Devils team without four of their 10 imports – Gerad Adams, Mike Prpich and Phil Osaer also out injured.

They still produced a battling display, led 1-0 after the first period and even outshot hosts Coventry.

But they could not sustain their challenge, conceding seven goals during the second period.

Captain Brad Voth scored for Cardiff on 16 minutes 16 seconds, set up by Phil Hill and Matt Towe, but it was never going to last for a Devils team, also without Paul Sample and Lee Cowmeadow.

Neal Martin (2), Adam Calder (2), Dan Carlson, Jonathan Weaver, Russ Cowley and Curtis Huppe all scored for the home side.

Coventry even iced their back-up netminder, Steve Fone, for the third period, giving Trevor Koenig a break.

Cardiff-born Joe Myers, in his second season of Elite League hockey, is battling through a difficult spell when Cardiff have been hit hard by injuries and are consistently short-handed.

First choice Osaer is close to fitness and will return over the next couple of weeks.