Devils win Continental Cup opener

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils made the perfect start to their IIHF Continental Cup Group E campaign with a 3-1 victory over Ducs D'Angers at Ice Arena Wales on Friday night.

Facing the side second in the Ligue Magnus, the Devils saw two powerplay opportunities go begging as the opening period ended scoreless.

Things sprang to life in period two, however. On their third powerplay of the night, Justin Crandall nicely took Brodie Reid's pass across the zone, and teed up Ryan Penny at the top of the crease for the tap-in with 26:54 played. Angers responded under three minutes later with a Jonathan Charbonneau shot that squeezed it way through Taran Kozun to level at 29:06. 

Ben Davies and Trevor Cox pounced on a bad Angers line change to allow the former to slot home with 44 seconds left in the period to put the home side back ahead. 

The Devils had a much better start in period three but a string of saves from Evan Cowley kept them just one ahead. After a spell of pressure for the visitors, Ryan Penny was allowed to skate through the French side's defense and beat Cowley for the 3-1 lead with 4:26 to play, giving the Devils some breathing room in the final minutes.

Earlier in the day, HDD Acroni Jesenice beat Zemgale Jelgava 3-2 in overtime. The top two teams will advance to the next round, meaning a win for the Devils on Saturday is likely to secure their place in January's final.