Canucks look to home return after Bristol and Slough setbacks

Two October away defeats follow Cardiff's strong finish to September, with a Slough rematch at the Vindico Arena next on the schedule.

Cardiff's winning finish to September gave way to a difficult start to October, as defeats at Bristol and Slough brought the Canucks' three-match run to an end. The two away games unfolded very differently: Bristol pulled clear after Cardiff had recovered to 2–2, while Slough held a one-goal advantage until the closing stages of their cup meeting.

The 10–2 loss at Planet Ice Bristol on 4 October was the heavier blow, although the game was still level early in the second period. Against local rivals with whom Cardiff had shared the league wins last season, the Canucks initially found a way back from two goals down.

Alfie Stone and Oliver Shone put Bristol ahead before Joe Tearall pulled one back late in the first, assisted by Joe Morris. Sam Davies then equalised on the power play, with Tearall providing the assist. Less than four minutes into the second period, Cardiff had wiped out the deficit.

From that point, Bristol took control of the scoring. Shone restored the lead on the power play, and three more goals before the break made it 6–2. Two of those came only 13 seconds apart, leaving Cardiff facing a much larger gap with one period remaining.

Four further Bristol goals completed an eight-goal run without reply. Shone finished with a hat-trick and two assists, while Tearall's goal and assist accounted for a contribution to both Cardiff goals. The final score marked the Canucks' largest defeat of the campaign so far.

The following Sunday's visit to Slough offered a chance to respond, this time in the Eddie Joseph Memorial Cup. Cardiff had beaten the Spitfires in both league meetings last season, with the away victory helping secure a playoff place. Their hosts' selection now included several players from the NIHL1 Jets roster, among them Kyle Bradburn, Jude Affleck, Alex Rosam and goaltender Ruari McGibbon.

Bradburn proved decisive. After a scoreless first period, he broke the deadlock fifty seconds before the second intermission, assisted by Samuel Hemmings-Maher. That single goal continued to separate the teams through most of the third.

With just 73 seconds remaining, the same pair combined for Slough's second. The 2–0 result left Cardiff with one win and one defeat in the EJMC and brought their first scoreless game of the season. As a cup fixture, it left the Canucks' league total unchanged at ten points from six games.

October has therefore presented Cardiff with two setbacks to answer, but the next opportunity comes on familiar ice—and against a familiar opponent. Slough visit the Vindico Arena on Sunday 25 October at 6.30pm for a league meeting, just a fortnight after the cup defeat.

Guildford follow on Sunday 1 November, completing two successive home dates against teams Cardiff have already faced on the road. After two difficult away weekends, come and get behind the Canucks at the 'Nuck House as they return to home ice, starting with the Slough rematch.