Devils lock in second with OT win

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils confirmed finishing second this season, and therefore Belfast third, with a 4-3 overtime win over the Giants on Sunday afternoon at the Vindico Arena.

It was a nervy start to the game for the Devils, who were put under good pressure from the Giants in the opening stages. Belfast were deservedly in front off a Sean Norris tip on a Josh Roach shot with 4:46 played to open the scoring, and it nearly got better for the visitors – a double-pad stick from Ben Bowns denying them their second. Staring the potential of not having scored for five straight period in the face, the Devils flipped the game in under two minutes. Evan Mosey tipped Bode Wild’s shot past Jackson Whistle at 16:34 to tie the game, while Riley Brandt put them ahead 95 seconds before the break.

The Devils finished off killing a 5-on-3 situation in the early part of period two, and as they returned to full strength the Giants were caught out with two guys behind them - Cole Sanford touched Mark Richardson's pass into the path of Cody Donaghey to skate through and beat Whistle 94 seconds into the period. A furious Adam Keefe called his timeout immediately after the goal. A nice wrist shot from Greg Printz got the Giants back to within one at 26:25, and that's where things stayed through to the end of the second.

Belfast were coming closer and closer to a tying goal as the Devils struggled to clear their own zone, and they finally got it through Ben Lake with 5:19 left to play. 

Overtime followed, and despite chances at both ends it was a 2-on-1 for the Devils that led to the winner with Trevor Cox setting up Marcus Crawford to give the Devils the extra point at 63:02.