Devils leave it late to edge past Flames

Photos: David Williams

Cardiff Devils continued to chase top spot in the Elite League with a late show giving them a one-goal victory over Guildford in a thoroughly exciting, end to end game.

An excellent open period saw the teams tied at two each after 20 minutes in the Viola Arena. It was Guildford who took the lead through Jesse Craig at 12:49, although the Devils responded just under three minutes later through captain Joey Martin as the puck crept through Travis Fullerton. Mike McNamee started and finished the powerplay move that put the Devils ahead at 17:19, firing home from the slot off Mark Richardson’s feed. Guildford however levelled the scores with six seconds left in the period thanks to a trademark Calle Ackered rocket.

Joey Haddad put the Devils back ahead at 25:16 but the Flames would lead by the end of the period. Owen Griffith’s fantastic tip on Ackered’s shot brought the Flames level at 33:33 before Brett Ferguson was left all alone in the slot to finish past Ben Bowns at 37:31.

Guildford held their lead for 13 third period minutes but were undone by two Devils' goals in the space of 100 seconds. Mike McNamee levelled the game at 53:03 after good work from Gleason Fournier to set him up, and then Joey Haddad was the spare man slotting home at the back post on a delayed penalty.  Travis Fullerton was pulled late on but the Flames were to leave Wales empty-handed.

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