Birbraer shoots down Bison

Feb 12 2007
Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo

The Echo Cardiff Devils earned thrilling back-to-back Elite League home wins to step up their challenge for a top three place.
Max Birbraer fired the winning goal 13 seconds into sudden-death overtime against Basingstoke Bison last night, while the Echo Devils edged out Manchester Phoenix 4-3 after powering into a four-goal lead on Saturday.
'We're building for the play-offs and pretty happy with the way things are going,' said player-coach Gerad Adams.
'We are coming together with playing systems.
'Good teams find a way to win and we did that on successive nights.'
Now the Devils have a six-day rest before they travel to Nottingham Panthers on Saturday and then take on Edinburgh Capitals at home next Sunday (6pm).
Birbaer's winning goal handed Cardiff a 5-4 win last night with Paul Sample, Mark Smith, Brad Voth and Dave Iannazzo the other scorers.
It was a night when new referee Tom Darnell became a target for fans after some controversial decisions.
They shouted angrily at Darnell, who has been promoted from linesman, when he blew to stop the game just before Blair Manning slid the puck into the net.
Darnell clearly believed goalie Phil Osaer had it in his glove and stopped the game, but still allowed the goal to stand and that made it 2-2.