Cardiff Fire made the short trip down the M4 to take on the Swindon Wildcats. Swindon have started the season with a 1 win out of 3 in the league so far and meant business with the Fire coming to town. With the EPL team enjoying a day off and the OHA team playing at home earlier that day the Wildcats included Kyle Smith, Toms Rutkis, Michael Stratford and Oliver Daniel Stone from their OHA academy and EPL team. Also icing for the Wildcats were the Taylor brothers Shannon and Loris – both with Wildcats EPL experience.
The Devils were without Jason Stone (injury) Jordan Baber (injury) Niall Shanahan and Luke Dowling. Starting in net and making his full debut for the Fire was former Elite League goalie Joey Myers. The period started quick with the Wildcats playing two lines, insuring their OHA and EPL guys got plenty of minutes. But it was the Fire that took the lead through Dan Blakemore, his 2nd goal in as many games, the assist going to Dan Self, his first point of the season. Swindon equalised on 11 mins through former EPL wildcat and Wightlink Raider Loris Taylor, Joe Myers saving 3 shots before Taylor netted for the Cats. Only for Tim Burrows to get the go-ahead goal just one min later. The 1st Period ended 2-1 to the Fire.
Just two mins into the 2nd period it was the Fires first line again with a goal on 22min this time from Jordan Powell breakaway some slick passing between James Manson and Tim Burrows for Powell on the redline, Powell controlled well to skate through and deke Liam McGuire. At 33:44 Loris Taylor took a hooking penalty allowing Cardiff a powerplay opportunity. Cardiff moved the puck around well before James Manson scored a fantastic goal from the point with a low shot, assists going to Robert Sedlak and Jordon Powell. Just 30 seconds later Tim Burrows scored the goal of the season so far for the Fire, some great play down low by Robert Sedlak found Tim Burrows with plenty of work to do, Burrows slipping passed a Swindon D man turning and shooting top corner to make the score 5-1 to the Fire. Swindon finishing the period strong sending two stretch guys lead to a goal from the impressive youngster Kyle Smith assist going to Loris Taylor. Period end 5-2 Fire.
The third period took a while to get going with both teams missing chances and both goalies playing very well. Frustrations boiling over with Ross Wilkinson and Shaun Starsmeare dropping the gloves to offer some extra entertainment to the supporters. At 45:39 Michael Stratford made if 5-3 assists going to Rutkis and Nethersell. Just a min later Swindon ended up on the PP with a cross checking Penalty going to Fire’s Dan Blakemore, Cardiff killing the penalty for a min Fire’s Phil Manny takes a hooking call, leaving Fire to kill a 5 on 3, Burrows, Manson and Madge were the 3 Fire players to successfully kill off the 5 on 3 and boast momentum. At 53:32 Dan Blakemore again scored a crucial goal for the Fire giving the team some breathing space assists going to Dixon and Sedlak. Just 4 mins later it was the Fire’s first line again and Tim Burrows hat trick goal making the score 7-3 to the Fire, assists going to Dixon and Sedlak. Just 16 seconds later Jordon Powell got his 2nd goal of the evening to finish the game off for the Fire, assists going to Sedlak and Burrows Sedlak with his 5th assist of the night and Burrows with his 5th point.
Mark Cuddihy added “I thought we played well in patches tonight, some basic mistakes but we have to expect this as we have no ice for training, things will improve in the New Year that’s for sure. We are blessed at Fire with goalies and at 5-3 when we went down two players giving Swindon a 5 on 3 opportunity I thought Joe Myers was outstanding, our best player. He kept us in the game at a crucial time demonstrating his experience. A Swindon goal at that point could have really changed things. Our penalty kill has been great in the 3 games this season and it’s needed to be. Our first line was superb tonight; Burrows Powell and Sedlak are really clicking and are top top players at this level. The youngsters at Swindon are very good, Rutkis and Kyle Smith caused us a lot of problems and I look forward to seeing how they develop and wish them good luck for the rest of the year with OHA”
Burrows 3+2
Sedlak 0+5
Powell 2+1
Blakemore 2+0
Manson 1+1
Dixon 0+2
Self 0+1
