Cardiff Fire made a winning start to the league campaign with a 3 nil victory on the road in Basingstoke. The first period started quick, with Fire having the lion share of the possession, unable to find aย breakthroughย with Basingstokeโs Jordon Lawday performing well in net. The breakthrough came 14:16 into the first period, with Alex Madge in the box serving a slashing penalty and Fire on the kill, Jordon Powell got on the end of Ross Wilkinson pass bursting through the D with blistering pace to store on the breakaway. Netting the first ever goal for the Cardiff Fire. Fire started to grow in confidence moving the puck very well. At 18:44 Ricky Deacon found the net for Fireโs 2nd goal, Alan Armour Skating in behind the net found Deacon planted for a one time shot on the edge of the hash marks.
The second period Fire lost discipline, playing only 3 1/2 mins of the 2nd period even handed. Luke Takel was the ultimate penalty killer soaking up 20 shots, 8 coming from the 5 on 3. Few chances for Cardiff with so much time on the kill, but Robert Sedlak managed to hit the post from a break away. Ricky Deacon was on the end of a horrible hit from behind from Mathew Levey. Deacon was luckily quick to his feet and the two players dropped the gloves. Win for Deacon.
The 3rd period was a more settled affair with Basingstoke going for broke, sending stretch guys to try and catch Cardiff on the break and Cardiff playing more defensive. Fire soaked up the pressure with Takel again superb in net. Basingstoke pulled Lawday from the net at 57 mins and sent the extra skater. At 57:47 Alan Armour scored Fires 3rd goal of the evening, winning the puck off the Basingstoke D man to skate up the wing and score on the empty net.
Alan Armour 1+1
Ricky Deacon 1+0
Jordon Powell 1+0
Shots on goal
Luke Takel 37
Jordon Lawday 40