Cardiff Devils 5, Glasgow Clan 2

Cardiff Devils remain on course to win the Elite League title for a third successive season following a convincing home win against Glasgow Clan.

Head coach Andrew Lord’s team remain level on points alongside Belfast Giants with a game in hand.

Two quick goals in the second period helped Cardiff keep pace at the top of the table.

A shorthanded goal from Gleason Fournier opened the scoring in Wales after eight minutes four seconds, but Clan equalised 99 seconds later through Matt Beca.

Bryce Reddick fired ahead again after 24-29 before Matt Haywood levelled again 91 seconds later.

Two devils goals in just under five minutes gave Devils the advantage. Josh Batch netted first after 27-15 with Joey Martin making it 4-2 at 32-12.

Charles Linglet added an insurance fifth at 44-06 with the last goal of the game.

The win keeps the Devils level on points with Belfast at the top and still with a game in hand.

Match stats: 

Scorers, Devils: Gleason Fournier 1+0, Bryce Reddick 1+0, Josh Batch 1+0, Joey Martin 1+0, Charles Linglet 1+0, Layne Ulmer 0+1, Stephen Dixon 0+2, Jake Morissette 0+1, Sean Bentivoglio 0+1, Mike Heden 0+1, Drew Shiestel 0+1.

Clan: Matt Beca 1+0, Matt Haywood 1+0, Zack Fitzgerald 0+1, Scott Pitt 0+1, Michael Gutwald 1+0, Rasmus Bjerrum 0+1.

Period scores (Devils first): 1-1; 3-1 (4-2); 1-0 (5-2).

Shots on goal: Devils (on Rumpel) 6+15+5=26; Clan (on Bowns) 10+10+5=25.

Stars of the game: Devils, Bryce Reddick; Clan, Matt Beca.

Penalties in minutes: Devils 6+0+0=6; Clan 2+0+0=2.

Special teams: Devils PK 3/3, PP 0/1; Clan 1/1, 0/3.

Referees: Dean Smith, Matt Rose.

Attendance: 2,955.

Fife Flyers 1, Belfast Giants 3

Belfast left Kirkcaldy with a narrow in. The opening period was end-to-end stuff, but it ended with the Giants ahead.

Dustin Johner’s deflected shot from the slot opened the scoring with 14-19 played.

With 11-49 left Brett Bulmer was able to deke past some stick checks and then fire into Beskorowany’s net, knocking the water bottle up to tie the game at one each.

A late slashing penalty on Richards Birzins gave the Giants a chance to regain the lead they didn’t waste. With 2-51 left Darcy Murphy’s wrist-shot gave net minder Owens no chance. 

Flyers pulled Owen late on in favour of the extra attacker, but the gamble backfired as Murphy struck again with with an empty net goal 52 seconds from time to seal the win.

ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2018/19

TEAM	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	PCT	GF	GA	PIM	STREAK
Belfast Giants	50	37	11	2	76	.760	194	123	629	3-0
Cardiff Devils	49	35	8	6	76	.776	196	130	561	1-0
Glasgow Clan	51	29	18	4	62	.608	183	156	648	0-3
Nottingham Panthers	52	25	18	9	59	.567	159	163	862	1-0
Guildford Flames	51	26	20	5	57	.559	166	155	622	5-0
Fife Flyers	48	24	19	5	53	.552	155	162	682	0-1
Sheffield Steelers	52	25	24	3	53	.510	156	179	752	0-1
Manchester Storm	51	22	24	5	49	.480	150	176	1067	1-0
Coventry Blaze	48	21	20	7	49	.510	172	187	636	0-2
Dundee Stars	49	18	19	12	48	.490	138	167	455	0-2
Milton Keynes Lightning	49	13	32	4	30	.306	120	191	851	1-0

Cardiff Devils remaining 11 Elite League fixtures

Five home, six away

March

Sunday 3 v Sheffield Steelers (home, 4pm) – this game does not count on season tickets

Thursday 7 v Fife Flyers (away, 7.30pm)

Friday 8 v Guildford Flames (home, 7.30pm)

Saturday 16 v Sheffield Steelers (away, 7pm)

Sunday 17 v Glasgow Clan (home, 6pm)

Wednesday 20 v Glasgow Clan (away, 7.30pm)

Saturday 23 v Manchester Storm (home, 7pm)

Sunday 24 v Dundee Stars (away, 5pm)

Saturday 30 v MK Lightning (home, 7pm)

Sunday 31 v Coventry Blaze (away, 5.15pm)

Belfast Giants remaining 10 fixtures, seven home, three away

March 

Saturday 2 v Sheffield Steelers (away, 7pm)

Sunday 3 v Manchester Storm (home, 4pm)

Friday 8 v Glasgow Clan (home, 7pm)

Friday 15 v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm)

Friday 15 v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm)

Friday 22 v Manchester Storm (away, 7pm)

Sunday 24 v Sheffield Steelers (home, 4pm)

Wednesday 27 v Coventry Blaze (away, 7.30pm)

Friday 29 v Fife Flyers (home, 7pm)

Saturday 30 v Dundee Stars (home, 7pm)