Cardiff Devils 3, Manchester Storm 2

Cardiff Devils take a single goal lead to Altrincham for the second leg of their Elite League play-offs quarter-final against Manchester Storm.

They came from behind against Manchester Storm to win 3-2 thanks to goals from Patrick Asselin, Joey Haddad and Scott Hotham.

A capacity attendance of more than 3,000 spectators roared Devils on and the teams meet again in the second leg at the Silver Blades Arena, Altrincham on Sunday (5.30pm).

This was Devils’ final match at Ice Arena Wales this season, but they are keen to qualify for the play-off finals weekend in Nottingham on Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9.

Other quarter-final first leg results: Nottingham Panthers 5, Sheffield Steelers 2; Dundee Stars 3, Braehead Clan 1; Fife Flyers 2, Belfast Giants 4.

First period

American forward Denny Kearney was the player left out of the Devils line-up. They carry an extra import player on their roster and one has to sit out.

Storm were without player-coach Omar Pacha.

Joey Martin, Andrew Lord and Patrick Bordeleau were the starting line-up with 6ft 6ins enforcer ‘Bordy’ out there to ensure Storm knew they were in for a physical battle.

At the first face-off Lord tangled with his opposite winger and Bordeleau skated across to deliver a warning.

Storm are quick on the break and have a quality netminder in Mike Clemente which makes them dangerous opponents over two matches.

Guillaume Doucet got the puck past Clemente inside the first two minutes, but that effort was ruled out because he had kicked it in.

Joey Martin went close, while a Josh Batch tip in front of the net from Scott Hotham’s shot sent the puck narrowly wide with Clemente beaten.

The pressure was building and Devils scored after 15 minutes 20 seconds. Asselin was the scorer with assists going to Gleason Fournier and Joey Haddad.

End of first: Devils 1, Storm 0.

Second period

Storm were running into penalty trouble trying to withstand the steady Devils pressure.

There were plenty of shots from Devils, but the second goal they needed would not come.

Netminder Bowls made an outstanding save to deny Mario Tribucco, throwing out a leg just as it seemed the Storm man would score.

The near miss should have been a warning, but Storm levelled the scores when Connor Varley scored a shorthanded goal after 27-19.

That gave Storm the lift they needed, while Devils appeared to be flagging.

There was more trouble for Devils when they conceded puck possession far too easily and Mark Heatley skated half the length of the ice to score unassisted after 33-23.

End of second: Devils 1, Storm 2.

Third period

Haddad scored Devils second goal after 44-02, skating hard through the middle and fooling goalie Clement before flicking the puck into Storm’s net from close range for an outstanding solo goal.

The home team had regained their composure and Storm faced a long spell of pressure which ended when defenceman Scott Hotham forced the puck home after 50-46.

Hotham had a shot blocked and that led to a scramble in front of the Storm net with Clemente making a couple of big saves. The packed dropped to Hotham, who fired just inside a post from close in.

Match stats:

Scorers, Devils: Joey Haddad 1+1, Patrick Asselin 1+0, Scott Hotham 1+0, Gleason Fournier 0+1, Sean Bentivoglio 0+1, Layne Ulmer 0+2, Andrew Hotham 0+1.

Storm: Connor Valey 1+0, Mark Heatley 1+0.

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

Penalties in minutes: Devils 2+2+4=8; Storm 4+4+8=16.

Powerplays: Devils 1/5; Storm 0/2.

Shots on goal: Devils (on Clemente) 10+15+13=38; Storm (on Bowns) 7+10+5=22.

Referees: MIke Hicks, Stefan Hogarth.

Men of the match: Devils, Joey Haddad; Storm, Mike Clemente.

Attendance: 3,088.