Davies double sees Devils past Flyers

Photo: James Assinder

Hometown boy Ben Davies scored two goals as Cardiff Devils got past Fife Flyers 5-2 on Friday night at a sold-out Vindico Arena.

It took just 50 seconds for the home side to take the lead with Jared Gourley firing past Shane Owen on an odd-man rush. The Flyers, who were beaten 7-0 by Belfast Giants midweek, this time were able to hit back early - 2:47 played when Austin Farley fed the puck from below the goal line to Michael Cichy to deflect home in front. 

The teams ended the opening period all square, but two goals in just under five minutes swung things in favour of the Devils. Davies was in the right place to put home a rebound from a Mark Richardson shot at 23:32 to put the hosts back in front, while at 28:19 Cole Sanford tipped a Gourley shot past Owen at the top of the crease. Davies then beat Owen from below the goal line to make it 4-1 at 35:44.

As the period ran down, the Devils took two minors on the same play, giving Fife a 5-on-3 with 1:31 left in the second. Coach Tom Coolen called his timeout to draw up a play, and was immediately rewarded as a sweet passing move set up Daniel Krenželok for a back-post finish.

What the Flyers couldn't do, however, was get back to within one on the remaining penalty. With Tyler Busch in the box 8:46 into period three the visitors again had a chance to find a way back into things, but they were caught pressing and Sanford netted shorthanded the other way to put the Devils out of sight.