Devils edge past Clan

Photo: Al Goold

Cardiff went back to the top of the Premier Sports Elite League with a narrow 3-2 win over Glasgow on Wednesday night. The game was played in front of just 200 spectators due to Scottish Government COVID-19 regulations.

The Devils let by two after the opening period at the Braehead Arena thanks to a pair of goals in just over four minutes from Jake Coughler. The Devils' recent signing crashed home a slapshot on the pwoerplay with 6:18 played to put his side ahead and then, as the Devils killed off a penalty, finished in front of Shane Starrett net's off Trevor Cox's precision pass.

Cardiff were in control of the game until the Clan got themselves on the board through a rocket of a slap shot form Match Jones with 8:49 left in period two. Thereafter the home side created some good chances to level, with Taran Kozun being called into to action for two excellent saves to keep the Devils ahead. Starrett made an excellent sprawling save as the clock ticked down on the period to keep the Clan within one.

Kozun ensured the Devils stayed ahead early in period three before a backhanded Stephen Dixon effort on a rebound put the Devils back two ahead 1:16 into the final period. Clan needed a quick way back into the game and found one at 45:48 - a smart backhand pass from Colin Campbell found Mikko Vainonen, and he set up Tim Shoup for a slapshot through traffic past Kozun to bring it back to 2-3.

The hosts had some good looks to tie the game as the clocked ticked down but couldn't find the final shot past Kozun who made 44 saves over the night. Clan Head Coach Cameron pulled Starrett with around 60 seconds left on the clock, but despite solid offensive zone pressure his side couldn't find that perfect shot and the Devils help on for the two points.