Devils Match Reports     Date Game Report       Sat 3rd Oct 2009 Devils v Kilmarnock   SCOTTISH UNDER 20`S LEAGUE  Saturday 3rd October 2009   North Ayrshire Devil`s 4       Kilmarnock 4   Devil`s first game of the new season was against local rivals Kilmarnock at the Magnum ice rink. The first period got under way with both teams searching for the opening goal. Killie had an early advantage when Craig Muirhead headed for the penalty box at 3.22 for high sticks. Both sides were even for a few seconds at 5.09 when Killie Captain Andrew Boyle was penalised for charging but Colin Henning  made the most of the following power play by scoring Devil`s first goal at 6.06 assisted by Andrew Murphy. Devil`s went two up at 12.18 when Andrew Kennedy hit the back of the net when he latched onto an Andrew Murphy pass. Devil`s two goal advantage was short lived as Killie got one back at 12.43 when a momentary lack of concentration in the Devil`s defence allowed Jardine Wallace in to score Killie's first. No further goals were scored in this period but both Devil`s Steven Bicker and Killie`s Graham Meechan were kept busy in goals. Devil`s changed net minders mid way through the second period when ex Killie player Neil Smith came on just before Devils got a man advantage when Jardine Wallace was given two minutes for interference at 22.39. Again Devil`s made the most of the power play when Liam Fegan increased the lead at 22.50 with an assist from David McAllister. Killie were again left short handed at 24.51 when defender Burns received a penalty for interference. Devil`s Callum Barrass was on the wrong end of a roughing call at 26.41 and this time it was Killie`s turn to pull a goal back on the power play when Callum Boyd scored at 28.14. In the dying seconds (29.45) of the period Devil`s Tony Lindsay was given a two minute penalty for holding. Early in the third period penalties were even when Killie`s Callum Boyd received a two minute penalty for tripping at 30.54. With both teams back to full strength, Killie tied the game at 33.36 when Derek Paton scored with assists from Callum Boyd and Steven Moore. Some slack Devil`s defending at 36.02 allowed Callum Boyd to score his second goal and put Killie ahead. This was the shot in the arm Devil`s needed and pressurised the Killie defence until Craig Muirhead scored the equaliser at 38.10, again assisted by David McAllister. The rest of the period got a bit scrappy with Killie`s Scot Wright receiving a boarding penalty at 38.30. Devil`s Jamie Barr and Killie`s Andrew Boyle both received two minutes at 42.49 for roughing. Kilmarnock will be the happier team with a draw but Devils know they will need to play with more commitment and speed if they are to fulfil their true potential. Devil`s next game is away to Kilmarnock on Saturday 17th October, face off 5pm.    Stats:  Andrew Murphy  0+2     David McAllister 0+2  Andrew Kennedy 1+0    Colin Henning 1+0    Liam Fagan 1+0    Craig Muirhead 1+0     2min  penalties Jamie Barr          2 min penalties Callum Barrass  2 min penalties              Tony Lindsay      2 min penalties                Goalies:   Steven Bicker 2/12   26:15 min    Goals Av. 2       83.3% save average   Neil Smith       2/15   18: 45 min   Goals Av. 2       86.6% save average              Sat 12th December 2009 Kilmarnock v Devils                                                   Scottish under 20`s league                                                  Saturday 12th December 2009                                             Kilmarnock 6  North Ayrshire Devil`s 2   After a close 4 - 4 draw between the teams earlier this season this return league game held at the Galleon ice rink was eagerly awaited by both local teams. At the face off the play went from end to end with both teams trying to get the upper hand. Killie took an early penalty (1.38) when Liam McGarry was penalised for Charging. Devil`s pressurised the Killie defence but couldn`t capitalise on the early power play. Defender Danny Riach received Devil`s first penalty (3.29) for tripping and with Killie back to full strength Devil`s were put in serious trouble when David McAllister joined Danny in the sin bin after an interference call (4.56). With Devil`s on the receiving end of a 5 on 3 power play, they did well to stop Killie scoring. McGarry found himself back in the penalty box (9.56) this time for roughing. Devil`s pushed forward on the power play but got caught out when Killie`s Steven Moore (10.22) scored a short handed goal to open the scoring. Moore added his second (13.18) shortly after assisted by defender Jack Burns. Devil`s net-minder Neil Smith received a blow to his head knocking him unconscious for several minutes and was taken to hospital for a precautionary check up. The period ended with Devil`s James Wallace (14.38) taking a holding penalty and Killie 2 goals in front.   Killie couldn`t capitalise on the early power play in the second as the Devil`s defence stood firm. With both teams even, Ryan Adams (17.52) scored a single handed screamer which left Meechan in the Killie goal with no chance of stopping it. Unfortunately, Devil`s revival was short lived as Killie scored three goals inside four minutes to put the game out of Devil`s reach. Killie`s third came from hat trick man Steven Moore (25.16) with assists for Burns and Parker. Gary Parker (27.49) got himself on the score sheet for Killie`s fourth assisted by Brown and Traill. Callum Boyd (28.46) slotted in goal No 5 with an assist for Moore. Surprisingly no penalties were awarded during the second period but this was to change after the whistle when Killie`s Andrew Boyle and Devil`s Tony Lindsay (30.00) had a brief off ice `discussion` resulting in both players sitting out the rest of the game.   Parker (31.16) scored Killie`s sixth goal to rub salt into the Devil`s wounds with assists for McGarry and Paton. Devil`s skipper Martin Cardno and Killie`s Gary Parker (33.58) were both penalised for delaying the game. Killie had three players penalised in fairly quick succession, Burns (36.17) interference, McGarry (39.04) high sticks and Wallace (41.44) check from behind but Devil`s couldn`t make the most of the power plays. David McAllister (43.02) lifted Devil`s spirits with a late goal to end the game, assists to Liam Fagan and Connor Smith.   A disappointing result for the Devil`s who will need to pick themselves up for the away game this Saturday (19th December) at Murrayfield.   Devils MOM - Ryan Adams   Ryan Adams (1+0), David McAllister (1+0), Liam Fegan (0+1), Connor Smith (0+1)    Sat 23rd January 2010 Kilmarnock v Devils                                             Scottish Cup under 20`s                                                  Saturday 23rd January 2010                                             Kilmarnock 4  North Ayrshire Devil`s 4     Devils were missing several players for their first Scottish Cup game of the season against local rivals Kilmarnock but had new signing Connor Gibson on the bench and he was to play a key roll in the game.   The game started at it`s usual fast pace and Killie opened the scoring when the Devils got caught with both defenders behind the goal leaving Steven Moore (3.25) to slot the puck past Steven Bicker. Killie went two up after a stramash in front of the Devils goal allowed Andrew Boyle(6.49) to score with assists from Liam McGarry and Martin McPhail. Devils uped their work rate after this and were rewarded when Aidan Fulton (8.20) scored to pull the Devils back into the game.   With some verbal encouragement from Coach Kennedy to keep up the pace in the second period, Devils looked the keener of the two teams. This work rate got Devils even when the hard working Connor Gibson (21.29) scored his first North Ayrshire goal. Devils had several chances to take the lead but found Killie keeper Meechan on top form.   Devils took the lead within seconds of the start of the third period when Andrew Murphy (30.09) scored a well earned goal. Devils lead was short lived as Derek Paton (32.33) slotted the puck high over Steven Bickers left shoulder for the equaliser. Up until this point the game had been remarkably penalty free with ref Toby Craig only having to whistle for icing or off side but this was to change when Connor Gibson (36.33) received a 2 min penalty for slashing. Devils managed to kill the penalty but immediately went behind when Brown (38.44) scored Killie`s fourth with an assist from Gary Parker. Browns (41.07) good work was undone when he received the games second penalty for delaying the game. Devils front line of Futon, Murphy and Gibson through everything at the Killie goal during the power play and it was Aidan Fulton (41.56) who got the equaliser to the delight of the Devils support.   A draw was a fair result as both teams played some fast, clean hockey which make you wonder why more local derby`s can`t be played that way !!!   Devils next game is another Scottish Cup tie at home to Kirkcaldy on Saturday 30th January, Face off 7.30    Devils MOM - Connor Gibson   Aidan Fulton (2+0), Connor Gibson (1+0), Andrew Murphy (1+0)      Sat 30th January 2010 Devils v Fife Falcons                                                          Scottish Cup under 20`s                                                        Saturday 30th January 2010                                                North Ayrshire Devils 5   Fife Falcons 4   Devils continued their progress towards the Scottish Cup final with a hard earned victory against the Falcons at the Magnum ice rink. With both teams needing a win this was always going to be a hard fought encounter.   Falcons got off to a good start when Callum Adamson (8.55) scored a single handed goal mid way through the first period. Devils responded quickly on the power play after Aaron Greger (9.30) was penalised for high sticks. Connor Gibson (10.23) scoring his second Devils goal in as many games. Falcons went ahead again when Jack Hutchison (12.15) scored from Adamson. Devils Danny Riach (13.32) was sent to the sin bin for holding and received a 10 min misconduct penalty for trying to convince the referee he had made an error of judgement. Falcons made the most of the power play by going two in front with a single handed goal from Dale Walker (13.43).   Devils started the second period with more commitment and clawed their way back into the game firstly when big Andy Ferguson (22.11) let rip from near his own blue line which caught Falcons net minder Robbie Balfour by surprise. Devils had a chance to get the equaliser when Greger (24.03) received his second spell in the penalty box for holding but Falcons held firm. Devils equaliser eventually came from hard working Aidan Fulton (28.30) with an assist to Connor Gibson.   Early in the third period both teams received penalties after a bit of a rumpus behind the Falcons goal. Falcons Ryan Scott (32.59) received a 2+2+10 for slashing and Devils Craig Muirhead (32.59) 2 mins for tripping. Shortly afterwards, Falcons Walker (36.55) was also penalised for interference which allowed Devils to lead for the first time after Colin Henning (38.05) scored from a Martin Cardno pass on the power play. Falcons pulled even again when Hutchins (40.09) scored his second from Cochrane and Walker. Devils pressed forward in a last attempt to win the game and with just over a minute left Andrew Murphy broke free to pass to Connor Gibson (43.56) who slotted the puck passed Niall Quinn to the roars from the home support.   An important win for the Devils to keep them on track for a cup final place. Devils next cup game is against Murrayfield Ravens at 7.30 on Saturday 6th February at the Magnum.   Man of the Match - Connor Gibson   Connor Gibson (2+1), big Andy Ferguson (1+0), Aidan Fulton (1+0), Colin Henning (1+0), Martin Cardno (0+1), Andrew Murphy (0+1)  Sat 6th February 2010 Devils v Murrayfield Ravens                                                           Scottish Cup under 20`s                                                        Saturday 6th February 2010                                                 North Ayrshire Devil`s 4   Murrayfield Raven`s 1     Devil`s got the better of last years league winners to continue their good run in the cup but this turned out to be a bruising encounter which could be regretted by some later in the season.   Devil`s got off to one of their quickest starts with the puck hitting the back of the Raven`s net within 16 seconds thanks to a rapid Aidan Fulton (00.16). The raven`s net minder Connor Black looked a little nervous after that but he was to eventually have an outstanding game. Devil`s gave Raven`s a couple of power play opportunities to even the score during the first period. Firstly when David McAllister (10.16) received a 2 min for cross checking and secondly when Aidan Fulton (13.03) was penalised for holding but the Devil`s defence stood firm.   Raven`s looked the sharper team early in the second period and Devil`s net minder Neil Smith had to make several first class saves. Frustration from both teams at not scoring came to head when Devil`s Craig Muirhead (22.00) received a 2+2+10 for roughing with Raven`s Gautschi (22.00) who also received a 2+2+10. While these two were locking horns Devil`s Jamie Barr (22.00) and Raven`s Captain Rae (22.00) also started roughing with both getting 5+game penalties and ejected from the game. Devil`s had a power play opportunity late in the period when Raven`s Main (27.46) was sin binned for cross checking but the score remained 1 - 0.   With an uncomfortable lead, Devil`s got themselves fired up for a third period assault on the Murrayfield goal but it wasn`t until Raven`s Main (36.21) was penalised for slashing that Devil`s increased their lead. Aidan Fulton (37.01) scoring his second of the night assisted by a less than 100% fit Connor Gibson. Gibson (38.03) was to go one better shortly afterwards when he put Devil`s three in front. Main`s previous slashing hadn`t gone unnoticed and on his next shift Devil`s Tony Lindsay (39.32) and Main (39.32) had a coming together which resulted in a 5+game+match for Lindsay and a 5+game for Main. Raven`s Gautschi clawed one back for Murrayfield on the resulting power play but the penalties weren`t over with both Devil`s Skipper Martin Cardno (41.59) and big Andy Ferguson (41.59) receiving simultaneous penalties for charging and delaying the game. This left Devil`s on the receiving end of a five on three power play which Devil`s did exceptionally well to hold out. With Devil`s back to full strength for the last minute, Raven`s pulled their net minder to go six on five but this back fired when defender Chris Law spotted Connor Gibson (44.53) in the neutral zone which left Gibson to score into the Raven`s empty net.   Another important win for the Devils who know a positive result in their last qualifier up at Dundee will mean a cup final place. Devils next league games are against Fife Falcons on the 27th (face off 7.30pm) and Murrayfield Ravens on the 28th February (face off 6.00pm) both at the Magnum.               Devil`s Man of the Match - Net minder Neil Smith   Connor Gibson (2+1), Aidan Fulton (2+0)

Team Training times for this season are     U20 Wed 8.00 9.30pm