Devils pick up first cup points of season

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils kept their hopes of advancing into the Premier Sports Challenge Cup knockout stages alive with their first points of the competition at the fifth attempt, holding on for a narrow 3-2 home victory over Coventry Blaze.

Marly Quince's delicate tip of Jack Billing's shot deflected the puck into Ben Bowns' net with 1:25 left in the opening period at Ice Arena Wales, however a Jake Coughler response 52 seconds later - with the puck taking some funny bounces behind the net - ensured the hosts were level after 20 minutes.

Cole Sanford then put the Devils ahead just 1:43 into period two, and that lead lasted almost until the second intermission before David Clements came in unmarked at the far post to tie things up for the Blaze at 39:06. Trevor Cox missed a penalty shot with 15 seconds left in the period which could have put the hosts back ahead.

However, Cox would score what turned out to be the game-winner early in period three. The Cardiff forward took Sanford's feed, faked past the defenseman, and found the top corner of Jordan Hedley's net for the 3-2 lead. Bowns was called into action for a flurry of quick saves as the Blaze pushed for a tying goal with six skaters, but the Devils held on for their first cup win of the season, and first over the Blaze after two road defeats. The defeat was Coventry's first in regulation this season.