Devils power past Panthers in final period

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils made it two home wins in successive nights as they handed the Nottingham Panthers their fifth straight defeat on Saturday night.

The first period saw the Panthers start the better with a couple of half-chances, but as things developed it was the Devils that began to control more. Brodie Reid had a couple of shooting chances at the back post on a powerplay, but the first would end scoreless.

Things burst into life in the second, however. Josh Waller put the Devils ahead 2:02 into the period, shooting low in the slot from Ben Davies' pass from behind the net. A wonderful tic-tac-toe play, finished off by Trevor Cox, gave the Devils a two-goal lead with 27:39 gone.

However, the Panthers were back in things 5:15 from the buzzer when JC Brassard beat Mac Carruth from the blueline to halve the deficit.

Three quick-fire goals from the home side saw them take control of the game in the final period. Matt Register put home his own rebound at 44:49 after nice work from Jake Coughler to put the Devils back two ahead, followed just over three minutes later by Sam Duggan being left wide open and deflecting Register's shot past Kevin Carr.

Cole Sanford ended the scoring at 49:41, although Ollie Betteridge could have responded for the Panthers almost immediately but couldn't beat Carruth five-hole. A late fight between Riley Brandt and Sean Richards as the game wound down.