BALANCED EW ATTACK HOLDS OFF NORTH COMEBACK BID

Bodean's Cup Match 13-05-2024 Lee Valley: Devils EW 5 - Devils North 4

Behind solid, reliable goaltending by Nikolai Scsorsz and an attack featuring four different goal scorers, EW defeated North 5-4 last night at the Lee Valley Ice Centre. Despite EW sprinting out to a 3-0 first period lead, EW managed to to fend off a ferocious North comeback highlighted by an Alex Smith Hat Trick.

With a pair of Jameses on the sidelines, and newly converted Boston Red Sox fan Marc Corbeil on the 2nd leg of his North American tour, North found itself fighting an uphill battle from the get go. Goalie/Defenseman/Snowboarder/Firestoker Arlen Dancziger started things off early for EW. The season debut of the Swiss Sniper Philippe Mueller paid off immediate dividends as he and 2024 Cy Young candidate Jeremy Roberts worked the puck around the North zone. Eventually Dancziger wriggled himself free from the left point, wristing a shot off the right post that eluded the 'scratched due to illness, and then unscratched but still ill', Matt Brown. Shortly thereafter Masterton trophy candidate Gary Reid potted the first of his two goals. Deep in the North corner, EW captain Bob Chebator sifted a pass to an activated Matt Greaves streaking down the slot. The EW defender zipped a wrist shot which Reid managed to deflect in for a 2-0 EW lead. Despite North fighting for their lives, EW struck again. A nicely executed EW breakout led to Chebator charging up the ice for a 2 on 1. The EW centre, in his best Dancziger impression, filtered a saucer pass across to fellow Bruins enthusiast Sam Bailey who skilfully one timed a shot high past North 'tender Brown to finish the first period 3-0 EW.

It was a Tale of Two Games in the second period as a North showed their ability to strike quickly and not give up. While EW was bolstered by the mid game arrival of Theo Abban, North strategically reorganised their lines - concentrating their firepower. That strategy quickly paid off as the combo of Alex Smith and Quinby Duble injected some much needed offence. First it was Smith burying his first, off of hard work from Mike Lay and Duble. The North wingers controlled the play moving the puck to the front of EW goalie Scsorsz. Smith was able to locate the loose puck and knock it into the net. 3-1. Several minutes later it was Smith again striking for North. With Duble flying up the ice he found a free Smith on the wing. The North centre patiently held the puck across the EW crease and calmly deposited the puck to make the game 3-2 EW. Before EW could retake momentum, it was North Captain Frank Walshe drawing the game even. As the seconds ticked off the period, Walshe found himself on the edge of the EW crease. Smith took a strategic low shot which Walshe tipped through the keeper's legs to finish the period 3-3.

At the outset of the 3rd period, North prepared to continue its comeback. However, it was EW that wrestled back control early on. Bailey, continuing his energetic forechecking, turned the puck over deep in the North end. Andre LeMasurier, a steady presence all night, took possession. From the right corner he expertly fired a pass through several North defenders, finding the veteran Reid on the far past who banged in his second of the night to restore EW to a 4-3 lead. North fought back to tie the game as the game intensified. The always dependable North defender Jon Alcock, executing perfect neutral zone passes all night, connected with Alex Smith. Smith performed a very Smith-like highlight reel toe drag around Matt Greaves before sliding the puck along the ice just inside the far post to tie the game 4-4. With both teams striving for the go ahead goal, it was a pair of EW greybeards coming through. Deep in the EW zone, Greaves softly chipped the puck up the boards to a breaking Chebator. The EW centre found himself on a clear 2 on 1 with the Swiss Sniper. Mueller nicely opened up and hammered the crossing Chebator dish past North goalie Brown to put EW ahead for good 5-4. Despite a late North PP, EW was able to hang on, closing out a hard fought victory.

Devils EW: Scoring

Arlen Dancziger (P.Mueller, J. Robert)
Gary Reid (M. Greaves, B. Chebator)
Sam Bailey (B. Chebator, J. Robert)
Gary Reid (A. LeMasurier, S. Bailey)
Philippe Mueller (B. Chebator, M. Greaves)

Devils EW: Penalties

Chebator - Hooking

Devils North: Scoring

Alex Smith (M. Lay, Q. Duble)
Alex Smith (Q. Duble)
Frank Walshe (A. Smith)
Alex Smith (J. Alcock)

Devils North: Penalties

none

DEVILS NORTH WIN BIG OVER UNDERMANNED SOUTH

Bodean's Cup Match 29-04-2024 Lee Valley: Devils North 16 - Devils South 5

Devils North scored early and often in a night to forget for Devils South. More to follow...

Devils North: Scoring

Marc Corbiel (A. Smith)
Mike Lay (J. Mulligan, P. Holbrook)
Marc Corbiel (P. Sool)
Lukasz Gryzbon (J. Alcock. F. Walshe)
Alex Smith (unassisted)
Quinby Duble (M. Corbiel)
James Mulligan (Q. Duble, R. Clark)
Lukasz Gryzbon (J. Laing)
Marc Corbiel (A. Smith)
Phil Holbrook (Q. Duble)
James Mulligan (Q. Duble)
Harry Grant (L. Gryzbon, F. Walshe)
Quinby Duble (J. Mulligan)
James Laing (Q. Duble, J. Mulligan)
Mike Lay (J. Mulligan, J. Alcock)
Pavel Sool (R. Clark)

Devils North: Penalties

None

Devils South: Scoring

Richard Veinot (D. Carr, P. Kerner)
Misha Neizvestnov (G. Yufit, P. House)
Patrice Kerner (P. House, R. Veinot)
Richard Veinot (P. Kerner)
Patrice Kerner (D. Carr)

Devils South: Penalties

None

DEVILS SOUTH RALLIES TO TIE DEVILS E-W

Bodean's Cup Match 22-04-2024 Lee Valley: Devils South 5 - Devils East-West 5

Behind a hat trick from the “Talisman” and timely stops from tender Pasha Scsorsz, Devils South found a way to tie EW 5-5 last night at Lee Valley.

With 20 minutes to puck drop a perplexed Nikolai Scsorsz greeted the EW carpool line in the Lee Valley lobby as the EW locker room was bare. But then Sam Bailey, fresh from a blistering Heathrow run, an inquisitive or some may say confused Eugene Gorelik, and finally Theo Abban walked through the door and it was game on.

South got on the board first at the 9 minute mark with a unique Penalty Shot awarded to Tal Elbaz, which was expertly converted. EW came storming back with 3 unanswered goals. Sam Bailey cagily intercepted a John Yao pass walking in alone and zipping a wrister past Scsorsz jr. A few minutes lates it was Bailey again as a goal mouth pass intended for Jeremy Robert deflected off the South defender into the net. With a 2-1 lead Robert then converted, following nice passing from Bailey and tireless EW dman Matti Konsala. South fought back right at the end of the period with Patrice Kerner knocking in a goalmouth scramble following offensive zone work by teammates Ian Williams and Jon Yao to close the gap to 3-2 EW.

In the second it was South drawing even 3-3. As the evasive Elbaz continued dominate possession, he traded passes with Misha Neizvestnov. The veteran winger found Elbaz in the high slot and the South sniper fired a shot past the screened Nikolai Scsorsz. Each side traded chances with Terry Wong just missing converting and one and EW ringing the post at the other. Finally at the midway point of the game it was EW pulling ahead. Just inside the EW blue line Bob Chebator knocked down a South crossing pass attempt then immediately fired a stretch pass to the streaking Gary Reid. The rangy winger crossed the blue line and fired a quick far side shot beating Pasha Scsorsz to put EW back ahead 4-3. Before the period ended EW extended their lead to 5-3 as Gorelik made an impact in his season debut knocking in a shot from close range.

In the third period each team traded chances with neither able to convert. Then with 12 minutes remaining, a hooking call on EW defender Arlen Dancziger put South on the PP. South forward Patrice Kerner patiently held the puck on the side board. He crept forward and managed to fire a short side shot passed a screened EW Scsorsz to pull South within one, 5-4. As the clock wound down to the 8 minute mark a “rare” slashing penalty on South defender Dumas Maugile put EW on the PP. As the penalty was about to expire Elbaz was able to break free across the blue line and convert a SHG to tie the game at 5-5. As the buzzer rang one last South attempt was thwarted and both teams retired to their respective locker rooms pondering what could have been. -BC

Devils EW: Scoring

Sam Bailey (unassisted)
Sam Bailey (M. Greaves)
Jeremy Robert (S. Bailey, M. Konsala)
Gary Reid (B. Chebator)
Eugene Gorelik (A. Dancziger)

Devils EW: Penalties

B. Chebator (slash)
A. Dancziger (hook)

Devils South: Scoring

Tal Elbaz (penalty shot)
Patrice Kerner (I. Williams, J. Yao)
Tal Elbaz (M. Neizvestov)
Patrice Kerner (unknown assist)
Tal Elbaz (unassisted)

Devils South: Penalties

D. Maugile (slash)