Devils through to Finals Weekend despite home loss

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils advanced to the 20223 Viaplay Playoff Finals Weekend despite a home 2-1 loss to Coventry Blaze in the second leg of their series.

The damage was done in the first leg at the Skydome where the Devils came away 5-1 winners, giving them an overall 6-3 aggregate win.

Kim Tallberg gave the Blaze the early on-the-night lead when he put home itch Cook's feed on the powerplay with 6:19 played. They almost doubled that advantage, but for Ben Bowns' crossbar.

Early in period two, Tyler Kirkup did put the Blaze two ahead and cut the aggregate score back to 5-3 at 23:05. The remainder of the period saw both teams with good chances, and goalies Ben Bowns and Miklós Rajna pull off some excellent, last-ditch saves to prevent further scoring.

Coventry pushed hard for a way back into the game but with Rajna pulled Jake Coughler ended the series with an empty net goal with two minutes remaining.