Devils a win away from Continental Cup title

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils made a winning start to the IIHF Continental Cup final round with a 6-3 win over GKS Katowice of Poland on Thursday night, thanks to five goals in the middle period.

After a scoreless opening period, the Devils fell behind to former Belfast Giant Jean Dupuy's goal just 40 seconds in. However, they hit back with five in the period to take control of the game.

Josh MacDonald levelled on the 24-minute mark, while Reid Duke put the Devils ahead at 29:32. Brett Perlini and Zach O'Brien struck 71 seconds apart to make it 4-1 by 34:18, while Cole Sanford made it five for the hosts before the intermission.

Bartosz Franszko pulled one back for Katowice just over nine minutes into period three, but O'Brien's second of the night, and third point in the game, put the Devils back four ahead. Bartosz netted again just under five minutes before time to pull the score back to 6-3.

Katowice will play Grenoble on Saturday night before the Devils play the French side on Sunday. A win, in any form, would see the Devils crowned champions - although they may need less than that depending on Saturday's result.