Coventry Blaze take on Cardiff Devils in a top-of-the-table clash

With the light of summer slowly giving way to the winter’s bitter cold, what better way to
welcome this new season than with a game of ice hockey.

Two of The Boar Sports‘ writers had the privilege of being in attendance for Coventry Blaze’s home fixture against the Cardiff Devils, a top-of-the-table clash which was sure to have intensity and quality play in equal measures. The home team began the game in third place, while the visiting Devils occupied the top spot in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

Stepping into the darkened arena, with party lights shiftily moving about and music blasting from speakers, we could have been forgiven for thinking we had been handed the wrong address and landed at a nightclub. Yet the chilly cold we felt upon entering betrayed the truth, this was no Kasbah Monday, rather it was an Ice Rink Sunday.

Although not a traditional ice hockey powerhouse, the UK can still boast of teams which pack arenas, and have fervent fanbases

The stadium announcer knew how to work the crowd, whipping them up into a frenzy in between rowdy repetitions of ‘oh when the blaze go skating in’. Adding to his repertoire of crowd pleasing talents he filled the gaps in play with punchy songs and even added a sprinkle of humour to proceedings by playing ‘Hit the Road Jack’ when a Devils player was hit with a penalty.

Although not a traditional ice hockey powerhouse, the UK can still boast of teams which pack arenas, and have fervent fanbases. On this particular Sunday, the arena was at near capacity, with the fans providing vocal backing to their team. This included the away supporters who had admirably made the trip down from Wales on a Sunday evening.

As we made our way to our allotted seats, the players took the ice to rapturous applause before an altogether more contemplative moment. With the fixture falling on Remembrance Sunday, a moving poetry reading took place on the ice prior to the game, followed by a rendition of The Last Post and an impeccably observed minute of silence.

As one might expect from such a significant game, the first period remained scoreless as both teams sought to protect their net

Following this, the first of three high-octane twenty-minute periods began. Coventry Blaze began proceedings more strongly, but momentum shifted in the Devils’ direction as the minutes ticked by and substitutes skated on and off at a high speed. As one might expect from such a significant game, the first period remained scoreless as both teams sought to protect their net. The closest we came to a goal was a Devils shot which hit the bar with a ‘clank’ that reverberated around the stadium.

During the intermission, the ice was resurfaced and we took stock of the first period and hoped that the second would provide us with a goal, while keeping the same intensity we had seen in the first half.

We also experienced an innovative take on ‘hot potato’ as a pizza box was passed about with the person holding it when the music stopped getting a complimentary pizza. Before play was to restart we were privy to another expert performance on the ice. The brute force and power of the players was replaced by a figure skating routine set to the tune of ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ showing the capacity for delicacy and elegance on the ice as well.

By the time the final period was underway the Blaze were a goal down, and tensions were starting to rise, living up to ice hockey’s reputation as an aggressive sport

With play resuming after the 20 minute break it was clear the players were not fatigued nor had they lost any momentum: slick face-offs, powerful shots and artistic dribbling at dizzying paces, made it abundantly clear that we were watching two of the UK’s premier hockey forces.

24 minutes in, it seemed that the Devils’ pressure had finally paid off, as a sustained period spent camped around the Blaze net led to a Devils goal from close range. Yet, the ice hockey equivalent of VAR had the final say, as the goal was overturned and parity restored. Whilst the goal was under review and with the crowd in need of entertainment, the Blaze’s dinosaur mascot delivered. He walked around playfully teasing unwitting spectators and even ruffled one of the correspondents’ hair, far more than we had bargained for upon arrival.

By the time the final period was underway the Blaze were a goal down, and tensions were starting to rise, living up to ice hockey’s reputation as an aggressive sport. There were occasional scuffles between players, alongside heavy challenges, during which the players would have certainly been grateful for the thick padding they were wearing as they collided with the barriers.

At the buzzer a defeated Coventry Blaze knelt down facing their opponents whilst the stands emptied out

The fans were constantly reminded to ‘keep their eyes on the puck’, a piece of advice Blaze keeper Mat Robson would have been well-advised to heed, given the constant bombardment he was subjected to by the Cardiff offense. He made several smart stops, including a few catches, as improbable as that may have seemed given the speed the puck was travelling at. However he could only keep out the onslaught for so long as eventually the puck nestled itself in the Blaze’s net on a further two occasions.

At the buzzer a defeated Coventry Blaze knelt down facing their opponents whilst the stands emptied out. It was a night of intense, fast-paced sporting prowess clearly appealing to people from all over as evidenced by the variety of languages heard around the rink and the variety of names on the back of the players’ jerseys showing it’s a sport for all.

Readers of The Boar Sport can access discounted tickets to the upcoming Coventry Blaze games by clicking here. Post match, an ice skating session is free for spectators with skates costing £3 to hire.