Devils edge Blaze in shootout

Photo: Scott Wiggins

The Cardiff Devils avenged their home defeat to Coventry on Wednesday with a penalty shot win at the Skydome on Sunday.

Cardiff got the best start to the game with a go-ahead goal in just 95 seconds thanks to Brodie Reid being left all alone at the back post - the goal coming after the hosts had peppered Taran Kozun with packs at the other end early o.

The Blaze tied things up and then took the lead with two goals in less than a minute. Luke Ferrara had the equaliser on a 2-on-1 rush at 9:53 before intricate passing set up Nathanael Halbert for a smooth finish in front of Kozun's net gave the home side the lead.

Ben Davies' slapshot tied the game again after Brandon McNally forced a turnover at 16:32. The game was then delayed for early an hour a few minutes into the second period due to issues with the ice.

Stephen Dixon put the Devils back ahead 8:49 into period two in close, but the game was all square just over two minutes later Ferrara with trying to pass across the crease to Janne Laakkonen but the puck hit Kozunn and inched over the line.

The Blaze let a five-minute powerplay go begging in period three when Dixon was ejected for a check to the head. Kozun pulled off an excellent save to deny Kivilahti with 48 seconds left on the clock which ultimately saw the game go to overtime.

Reid and the Matt Register both had good looks at the Blaze net early in overtime but couldn't find a way past CJ Motte, who then made an incredible last-ditch save on Trevor Cox with 1:56 left in the extra period. Ross Venus had the Blaze's best chance late on but Kozun covered the puck well.

Reid, Cole Sanford and Trevor Cox all scored in the shootout with Kozun denying Ferrara, Kivilahti ad David Clements to claim the bonus point for the Devils.

Gallery