Devils stun Lausanne in CHL win

Photo: David Williams

The Cardiff Devils bounced back from losing their opening Champions Hockey League game to beat Lausanne HC of Switzerland at Ice Area Wales.

It was a deserved win for the Devils, who were much improved from Thursday’s defeat to Mannheim. In a much better start to the game, the Devils took the lead with a well-taken Cole Sanford goal on the powerplay just over five minutes into the game.

The hosts doubled their lead early in period two, as Brodie Reid found the net with goalie Luca Bolthauser still grounded after contact from his own defenseman – the goal was upheld after video review. However, Lausanne struck back just 22 seconds later through Ken Jäger’s low shot from the circle.

What the Devils needed at the start of period three was to get back two goals ahead, and Sandford obliged as he converted Trevor Cox’s cross-crease feed with just 35 seconds on the clock. Sam Duggan poking home from close range after excellent work from Mark Richardson gave Cardiff a three-goal cushion with just shy of 12 minutes to play.

Lausanne pressed but were unable to find another way past Mac Carruth, who stopped 32 of the 33 shots he faced on the night, and the Devils rode out a late 6-on-4 to close out a famous CHL night in Cardiff.