Finnish Forward Masi’s Star Rating On Devils Debut

Cardiff Devils 5, Fehervar 2

Former Boston Bruins forward Masi Marjamaki became an instant hit with Cardiff Devils, scoring two goals and producing a man of the match performance against Hungarian side Fehervar AV19.

Former Boston Bruins forward Marjamaki (2), Joey Haddad (2) and Sean Bentivoglio scored Devils’ goals in a feisty, physical and often bad tempered pre-season fixture at the Viola Arena.

The teams play each other again at the same venue in Cardiff Bay this evening (6pm) – and it’s sure to be another hard-hitting and bruising encounter.

Fehervar AV19 had a player thrown out after 19 seconds of the first period, sent off on a five minutes plus game penalty for crosschecking.

Marjamaki, who played alongside Devils teammate Dixon played for Tappara in Finland, is a big, powerful and skilled forward who looks capable of making a big impact for Devils this season.

“I’m a hubby guy who gets along with everybody,” says Marjamaki. “I work hard on the ice, go to the net hard and try to help the team win in any way I can.

https://twitter.com/cardiffdevils/status/1160313667268861952?s=20

“I can help Devils with my speed, strength and size. I go to the net and good things will happen.

“Initially, I spoke to Dixey and he sold the idea of joining Devils to me and then I talked to Lordo. I also asked around about Devils was it became clear this is a top notch organisation.

“I only heard good things.”

A huge hit by Marjamaki on the opening shift of the game left Fehervar’s Andrew Sarauer frustrated enough to take a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct leading to the Devils first goal of the game. 

Sarauer was thrown out and Sean Bentivoglio finished off a nifty play from Blair Riley and Gleason Fournier to make it 1-0 on the powerplay at 3-47.  

The visitors levelled the score at 13-36 when Jonathan Harty blasted a shot through traffic to tie the game at 1-1.

Devils scored twice in the second period with Marjamaki finishing off a nice move in front of the net to score from a Bentivoglio at 25-50 with another powerplay goal to put the home team in front.

Cardiff Devils forwards Mike McNamee and Masi Marjamaki Devils all smiles after the win (credit David Williams).

Joey Haddad then tipped in a shot from Gleason Fournier at 30-45 to give the home side a 3-1 lead.

Devils extended their lead with just under 11 minutes to play when Marjamaki scored his second of the game, again on the powerplay, this time taking the feed from Mike McNamee at 49-01 to make it 4-1.

Less than a minute later, Fehervar pulled a goal back with a powerplay strike of their own when Harri Tikkanen batted in a rebound through the legs of Ben Bowns at 50-30.

Fehervar had plenty of opportunity to pull another goal back with a 5on3 powerplay in the dying minutes, but Devils were up to task and eventually Haddad sealed the win with an empty net goal with 11 seconds left.

Cardiff Devils recruitment

Signings: (22 players announced – 14 imports, 8 British – maximum 14 imports can ice in any one EIHL game):

Head coach: Andrew Lord

Netminder: Ben Bowns, Thomas Murdy, Jordan Lawday.

Defence: Sean McMonagle (import), Mark Richardson, Mark Louis (import), Gleason Fournier (import), Bryce Reddick (import), Sam Jardine (import)

Forwards: Sean Bentivoglio (import), Masi Marjamaki (import), Blair Riley (import), Stephen Dixon (import), Matthew Myers, Matt Pope (import), Mike McNamee (import), Sam Duggan, Joey Martin (import), Joey Haddad (import), Charles Linglet (import), Josh Batch, Toms Rutkis.

Mike McNamee in action for Devils against Fehervar. (credit Helen Brabon)

Cardiff Devils pre-season and Champions League schedule:

August

Saturday 10 Cardiff Devils 5 Fehervar 2

Sunday 11: Cardiff Devils v Fehervar (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 6pm) 

Saturday 17: Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils (in Nottingham, 7pm)

Sunday 18 Cardiff Devils v Nottingham Panthers (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 6pm)

Sunday 25 Cardiff Devils V MAC Budapest (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 6pm)

Friday 30 Cardiff Devils v Mountfield HK (Champions Hockey League fixture, Viola Arena, 7.30pm)

September

Sunday 1 Cardiff Devils v Graz 99ers (Champions Hockey League fixture, Viola Arena, 6pm)

Thursday 5 Mountfield HK v Cardiff Devils (Champions Hockey League fixture, 5pm)

Saturday 7 Graz 99ers v Cardiff Devils (Champions Hockey League fixture, 6.15pm)

October

Tuesday 8 Frolunda Indians v Devils (Champions Hockey League fixture, 5pm)

Tuesday 15 Devils v Frolunda Indians (Champions Hockey League fixture, Viola Arena, 7.30pm)

Single game tickets for pre-season and Champions Hockey League matches are now available along with the even-game ticket pack.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or call us on 0800 0842 666

The 7-game pack, covering all four pre-season and three CHL home fixtures, offer big discounts and no service charges.