Devils extend lead at top

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils extended their lead at the top of the Elite League standings to give points with a 3-1 Friday night victory over Guildford Flames at a sold-out Vindico Arena.

A back-and-forth first period was fulled with chances for both teams, but each found Mac Carruth and Eamon McAdam in good form at each end respectively. The Devils took the lead with 2:44 left in the opening period - some excellent puck work between Evan Mosey and Riley Brandt set up Ben Davies for the game's opener.

An eventful second period saw a feisty beginning with multiple penalties being given. Guildford’s Jack Jacome received a double minor for high sticking while as Cardiff’s Cole Sandford and Gleason Fournier picking up penalties of their own. The Devils once again managed to find the net in the final four minutes of a period - Tyler Busch being set through 1-on-1 by Cody Donaghey, and his shot deflected past McAdam off Mike Crocock's leg.

With 1:56 remaining in the second, Brett Perlini found Donaghey for the Devils' third of the night which all-but killed off the game with a period to go.

"It was a good night, I'm finally starting to get my legs back under me after a month out," said Donaghey after the game. "We know Guildford are a good team who battle hard every night. We stick to our systems and play our game, and everyone buys in so we believe we can compete with any team in our league."

Jack Jacome scored his seventh goal in 13 games since joining the Flames when he pulled one back with 8:02 to play in the final period, but as time wound down the visitors seemed to be out of ideas to beat Mac Carruth a second time.

The Devils head to the Skydome in Coventry on Sunday, some 10 days after beating the Devils in Cardiff. "Coventry came in here last time and played a really good game. They've added a lot of speed over the summer, so it'll be a good test for us" added Donaghey.