Devils edge Blaze in close encounter

Photo: James Assinder

The Cardiff Devils celebrated the club's 35th anniversary with a hard-fought win over the Coventry Blaze in front at an almost capacity crowd at Ice Arena Wales. 

It was the Devils who led this Premier Sports Challenge Cup game after the opening 20 minutes at Ice Arena Wales. With 4:31 played Matt Register had the point shot which was saved by CJ Motte, but Trevor Cox was on hand to bat home the rebound at the top of the crease.

Coventry had a much better start to the second period and had the better chances for most of the opening phases. The tying goal game 92 seconds into the period when Dylan Eichstadt shot through traffic and the puck went past everyone, including Mac Carruth, while Cox sat a boarding penalty.

The Devils arguably had the better of the final half of the period with CJ Motte pulling off several excellent saves to keep the score level. Ben O'Connor had one of the Devils' better chances but Motte was able to get his mask in the way.

A no-look pass from Brendan Mikkelson across the front of the crease found Stephen Dixon who crashed home a top-shelf finish to put the Devils back in the lead 2:39 into period three.

After a series of chances to make the game safe, the Devils did eventually hit a third goal - good word wide from Brodie Dupont set up Ben O'Connor in front, and while he slightly miscontrolled Josh Lammon was on hand to put the loose puck in  with under three minutes to play. The hot stick of Brodie Reid hit the empty-net goal to confirm the win with 34 seconds left.

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