Fournier double helps Devils to win

Photos: David Williams/Helen Brabon

Gleason Fournier hit a hat-trick as Cardiff came out on top of a thoroughly exciting 4-3 game against Sheffield Steelers.

In what was a physical opening period with several penalties on each team, the Devils and Steelers left the ice level after 20 minutes. Nikolai Lemtyugov beat Ben Bowns from close range with a quick wrist shot at 4:59 on the powerplay to open the scoring. The Devils were level at 15:46 as Gleason Fournier got a powerplay marker of his own to tie the game.

Ben O’Connor re-established the Steelers’ lead just over four minutes into period two: his speculative shot was tipped in front by Brendan Connolly to make it 2-1. There was no let-up to the pace however, and the Devils struck back with a fine effort from Masi Marjamaki at 27:59 – and then the hosts went ahead 31 seconds later through Fournier. Marek Trončinský brought the scores level again at 32:02, but the Devils would lead at the break as Fournier's shot deflected in off Stephen Dixon four minutes later.

That would turn out to be the final goal of the game - despite Steelers' pressure to try and find an equaliser late on they had no luck doing so.

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