Cardiff Devils 3, Sheffield Steelers 2
Cardiff Devils have won the Challenge Cup for a second time in three seasons.
Fans changed ‘We are number one, we are number one’ after the final ended at Ice Arena Wales. That was followed by ‘We are the Champions’ blasting out over the tannoy system.
There was in question Devils deserved their win after dominating most of the match. Sheffield’s defensive details and their speed on the break kept them in contention , but Cardiff had the upper hand.
Gleason Fournier, Mark Louis and Layne Ulmer, with the winner, scored their goals.
There was an electric atmosphere at the IAW in Cardiff Bay as Elite League Devils won their first trophy of the season.
They are also favourites to be crowned League champions.
First period:
Guillaume Doucet was the import player rested by Devils, who carry an extra player, while Steelers welcomed back Andres Valdix and Colton Fretter. Both had missed Sheffield’s 4-1 defeat at Coventry Blaze on Saturday.
Devils went ahead after three minutes 53 seconds when Denny Kearney and Joey Martin set up Fournier for a clinical finish. Martin’s vision as he spotted Fournier eating forward to join the attack left Sheffield wide open.
Cardiff killed a 5v3 penalty with Matthew Myers and Mark Louis in the penalty box, for Holding and tripping respectively, but Steelers levelled at 1-1 when Robert Dowd fired home (16-24).
Devils were rocked again when they were caught with too many men on the ice thanks to a hesitation by the player going off.
That error led to a powerplay goal by Mathieu Roy, whose shot was almost saved, but just flew inside a post.
Devils were on top for long periods in the first period, but the speed of Steelers players made them dangerous on the break.
End of first: Devils 1, Steelers 2.
Second period:
Devils continued to impress with their slick passing in the second and had their first powerplay when Mike Ratchet was given a two minute penalty for cross-checking.
Steelers were pushed back by a Devils team playing with confidence and intensity.
There was a composure about the way Devils were playing and no hint of panic because they were a goal down.
Sheffield goalie Ervins Mustukovs was facing steady pressure and had to produce a number of big saves.
On of the best came from Myers when he tipped a Scott Hotham pass in front of the net. Mustukovs produced an instinctive save.
Kearney went close with a shot which flew wide and hit the Plexi-Glass. He collected the rebounded and whipped in a low shot which flew cross the face of Sheffield’s net.
Defenceman Louis made it 2-2 when he scored after 37-40 with assists from Kearney and Sean Bentivoglio.
Devils had been so much on top for most of the period and almost went ahead when Joey Martin’s close range shot was brilliantly saved by Mustukovs.
End of second: Devils 2, Steelers 2.
Third period
It was a hugely entertaining final. Devils were on top offensively, while Steelers defended as a team. Their defensive systems ensured there was no space at all near their net.
But there was so much pressure from Cardiff a goal looked certain and it was Layne Ulmer who fired Devils ahead on 43-38 with assists from Joey Haddad and Patrick Asselin.
Steelers were second best, but still their lightning speed on the break was a danger.
The tension was growing as devils dominated and Steelers tried to strike on the break.
Steelers were handed a lifeline when Cardiff’s Chris Culligan was penalised for interference less than three minutes before the end.
End of third: Devils 3, Steelers 2.
Match stats:
Devils: Gleason Fournier 1+0, Mark Louis 1+0, Layne Ulmer 1+0, Joey Haddad 0+1, Patrick Asselin 0+1, Joey Martin 0+1, Denny Kearney 0+2, Sean Bentivoglio 0+1.
Steelers: Robert Dowd 1+0, Mathieu Roy 1+0, Levi Nelson 0+1, John Armstrong 0+1, Zack Fitzgerald 0+1, Ben O’Connor 0+1.
Period scores (Devils first): 1-2; 1-0 (2-2);
Penalties in minutes: Devils 6+0+4=10; Steelers 0+6+2=8.
Men of the match: Devils, Denny Kearney; Steelers, Ervins Mustukovs.
Referees: Tom Pering and Tom Darnell.