Defensemen help Devils past Blaze

Photo: James Assinder

Goals from two defenseman put Cardiff Devils into a lead they wouldn't give up against Coventry, beating the Blaze 4-1 live on Viaplay on Tuesday evening.

Blake Thompson slapped a big shot past Paavo Hölsä for the game's opening goal just 19 seconds into things, with Mark Richardson jumping into the rush and beating the Blaze goalie on a wrap-around 15 minutes later. 

The Blaze, who had outshot and arguably out-chanced the Devils in the first period, continued to pepper Taran Kozun with shots but weren't able to break through the Devils' goalie until 5:41 into period two through Peyton Frantti. 

Hölsä pulled off a handful of last-ditch saves to keep his side just one behind, a couple with an out-stretched pad on breakaways, as period three saw both teams chasing the next goal. However, he was responsible for a terrible giveaway which allowed Ryan Penny to fire into an unguarded net and put the home side back two ahead with 6:39 left to play. The impressive Josh Waller hit the empty net with 18 seconds remaining to round off the win.