CARDIFF V RAPACES DE GAP SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST 2025

GOALS GALORE IN CARDIFF THIS WEEKEND.

Deja-vu? I think not—just another great performance from the Cardiff Devils in the Welsh capital as they put 5 past Rapaces de Gap for a second night in a row. The energy in the arena was electric, the Devils skating with relentless pace and clinical finishing. Their offensive line found gaps where none seemed to exist, and the home crowd roared with every goal. For the visitors, it was a night of frustration, unable to halt Cardiff's momentum or break through the disciplined defence. This display cements the Devils’ early-season form and has fans dreaming of yet more memorable nights in Cardiff.

The opening goal set the tone—a blistering strike from Kohen Olischefski, brilliantly set up by Josh MacDonald just four minutes into the first period. The Devils wasted no time doubling their lead, with Joey Martin slotting home after slick interplay involving Ryan Barrow. Barrow was then on hand to grab the third, again with MacDonald orchestrating from behind the play for his second assist of the night.

But MacDonald didn’t stop there. Having pulled the strings, he turned finisher for the Devils’ fourth, this time pouncing on a loose puck after Brandon Estes laid it on a plate. The visitors found some consolation through Paul Cerda, who finally breached the Devils’ defensive wall, but the home side would have the last word. Gleason Fournier capped off the scoring in style, netting the fifth with—you guessed it—Josh MacDonald registering his third assist, a dazzling playmaker’s hat-trick.

The action wasn’t confined to the scoreboard. Yaremko’s spirited scrap left its mark, a heavyweight clash that saw both combatants earn mutual respect, and the Rapaces player reportedly needing medical attention. The crowd’s applause for both showed the spirit of the game remains strong.

Physicality was everywhere—thundering checks, bodies flying, players battling for every inch of ice. Yet the Devils managed to balance this with rapid counterattacks and clinical special teams. Whether a man down or up, their powerplay and penalty kill units looked sharp, capitalising on opportunities and shutting down threats in equal measure. It’s a testament to the structure and intensity instilled by Paul Thompson, whose tactical blueprint is clearly resonating with the team. If these early-season performances are any indication, there’s much for Devils fans to look forward to on and off the ice.