Last weekend I went to Braehead to see Braehead Clan v Cardiff Devils and then traveled down to Cardiff for the return, returning to Glasgow yesterday.
A fine 3-1 win on Saturday night was followed by a woeful performance on the Sunday night at Cardiff. Possibly the worst display I've ever seen from Clan. I do have some empathy, after an 8 hour drive, I probably couldn't have performed effectively either, but...they were playing against a team that had endured that trip twice in 48 hours.
Clan were not short on effort, but slack passing, ineffective offence and virtually zero defence meant Jaako Sumalainen let in 5 goals in the 5-2 defeat and was made to look poor purely and simply because he had zero of a defensive line.
Little point on dwelling upon it, this team is new, has had little ice time and game time, will grow together as a team under new manager Drew Bannister and become a major force in the EIHL.
What was the experience like?
Only 8 of us hardy souls there were chanting (the other 3 don't chant at home either and don't have a problem with that) but apparently we could be heard very easily, I know that because someone tweeted @clanfans to say so ;). A two miniute BPA is not recommended, there is no hiding place when only eight of you and no opportunity to bend down and lubricate the vocal chords with the amber nectar!!
Very friendly devils fans and excellent bar service and very friendly bar staff at the end (particularly Megan) made for brilliant evening, the performance aside. Afterwards we went to O'Neills and met the Devils players much like Sno! bar and the giant called Voth posed for a pic with us and was brutally honest regards his hit on Kyle Bruce.
We stayed three nights in cardiff and could have done with more, it's an awesome city, architecture, pubs and friendly people!! We were spoiled with an Indian Summer and temps topping 27 degrees but even in the depths of winter, I doubt the experience would have been less.
Thank you Cardiff for a wonderful experience!!
Al
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