Devils only away winners in leg 1
Blaze 0-2 Devils
Blaze have the first big opportunity of the night but Bowns denies Gresock in tight. Starting off strong from both teams with both netminders being put under pressure. A huge glove save from Bowns at 13.46 to deny Cressey from getting the puck in the back of the net. Shortly after the Blaze defence broke up a Devils tic tac toe ahead of Robsons net. Robson makes a huge save at 17.09 with a close range shot at his net from MacDonald, keeping the score 0-0, and 20 seconds does the same thing again, denying Devils from opening scoring. The first penalty of the night goes to Luciani for holding with just 1.55 left to play of period 1. Devils first powerplay of the night. A one timer slap shot from Olischefski gets denied by Robson with 23 seconds to go of period 1.
Period 2 begins with 6 seconds left of Luciani’s penalty but no powerplay goal from Devils. At 22.03 there were multiple rebounds off Bowns and Blaze had a bunch of strong chances but Bowns put a stop to it with a glove save. Just before the 3 minute mark of period 2, Devils had a chance with an odd man rush but Robson denied and Blaze instantly took it to the other end of the ice. At 23.20 the Devils opened scoring after a pass from behind Robsons net, to the front and Duggan fires it in behind Robson to take the lead. Penalty to the Devils #88 Martin at 24.20 sits for 2 for slashing of Robson’s stick. No powerplay goal for the Blaze, but it was not without chances. Cardiff Devils second goal of the night, doubling their lead - comes at 31.55 with Robson on the ice, a rebounded puck gets shoved into the back of his net by Busch.
Just over 5 minutes into period 3, Clements sits for 2 for hooking and Devils Bowns for roughing, sat by #5. 5 on 5 commences. Nick Seitz with a close range chance for the Blaze 6 minutes into the period but Bowns denies and plays it back out. Face off near Bowns net with just 6.11 to play, sees devils #13 sitting for delay of game after grabbing the puck with his hand to move it. With only 5.14 to go, Devils go one on one against Robson as it’s out of his reach to play it, but Robson managed to catch it and deny them a shorthanded goal. No powerplay goal for the Blaze. Just 3.42 to play sees multiple saves from Bowns to deny Blaze who are desperate to get on the board. A Barrow shot with just 2.15 to play, from close range to try and get the Devils lead to 3, but a huge glove save from Robson denies them. Game finishes 0-3 to Devils.
