Devils take control of Cup Group B

Photo: John Uwins

Guildford Flames' disappointing home form continued with a 6-3 defeat at the hands of Cardiff Devils on Saturday evening, sending the Devils four-points clear at the top of Challenge Cup Group B.

Josh Waller gave the visitors an early lead, finishing off a nice give and go with Justin Crandall at 2:18. The home side were level with 10:58 on the board on an odd-man rush with Kyle Lock firing past Ben Bowns from the faceoff circle. Four minutes later, the Flames were ahead - well according to the time of the goal, at least. Matt Alvaro's shot hit either the crossbar or the back shelf of the net but the goal was washed out on the play - the game continued and the referees could only go to review at the next stoppage some four minutes later. Having gone to check the video and confirmed the puck did indeed hit the back of the net, the goal was awarded and the clock reset to 5:03 left in period one.

Neither side managed a goal in the bonus time added to period one, but in the second the Devils began to take over. Sam Duggan draw them level 3:28 into period two by finishing a Ben Davies pass to the slot from behind the goal line. Seven minutes later, a Chad Pietroniro shot was blocked but Josh Waller snapped home the rebound to put the Devils back into the lead. Riley Brandy beautifully deflected River Rymsha's pass to the front of the net at 36:35 to put the Devils two ahead.

A Trevor Cox throw on Taz Burman's net went through a screen a beat the unsighted Flames netminder to give the Devils a 5-2 advantage 3:16 into period three. A nice interchange from Jamie Arniel and Cox saw the former finish off a 2-on-1 rush shorthanded with 9:29 left to play, while LEwis Hook added a third for the Glames with 7:35 remaining.