Cardiff Devils 6, Krefeld Penguins 2
Cardiff Devils turned on the style in their final warm-up match before they face their European Champions League challenge.
Visitors Krefeld play DEL hockey, the top tier in Germany, and Devils were ready for a difficult match.
Penguins were blown away by Cardiff’s skating speed, great movement and flowing passing.
Devils won 5-0 against Braehead Clan on Saturday, lifting the pre-season Aladdin Cup, and stepped up their team performance again for the visit of Krefeld.
Scottish forward Craig Moore was outstanding against Clan and maintained momentum into Cardiff’s second game of the weekend.
New additions Paul Crowder, Justin Faryna, Drew Paris, Matt Pope and Bryce Reddick have all slotted seamlessly into the and all the evidence suggests Elite League champions Devils are going to be even stronger this season.
It’s an exciting time for Devils fans, who are supporting a team which looks capable of challenging for all trophies again in 2017-18.
They will, though, be tested to the full in their next two fixtures in Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Devils take on HC Davos away next Thursday and then travel to Czech team Bili Tygri Liberec two days later.
Ben Bowns was in goal for Cardiff against Krefeld, taking over from Saturday’s man of the match Thomas Murdy.
Devils ran into penalty problems early on and faced three successive penalty kills including a 5v3.
They saw off the Krefeld PPs and went ahead soon after when Reddick netted with Faryna and Joey Haddad adding assists.
The home team led 1-0 after the first period before scoring four times in the second.
Hatted added the second and Pope made it 3-0 with a powerplay goal, assisted by Andrew Hotham and Joey Martin.
Faryna slotted the fourth goal, helped by Mark Richardson and Jake Morissette, and Hotham netted on a powerplay.
Devils led 5-0 going into the final period and Faryna scored his second of the night with 11 minutes left before the home team relaxed and Krefeld scored a couple of consolation goals..
Captain Daniel Pietta was on target and at least gave the German visitors a little comfort.
But this was Cardiff’s night and they will take confidence from the way they played against DEL opposition.
The next two home fixtures at Ice Arena Wales are in the Champions League, while they have a third successive fixture on their own ice when MK Lightning visit in the Challenge Cup.
Next three home Devils matches
August
Thursday 31: Cardiff Devils v Bili Tygri Liberec (CHL, 7pm UK time, 8pm CEST).
September
Sunday 3: Cardiff Devils v HC Davos (CHL, 6pm UK time, 7pm CEST)
Saturday 9 Devils v MK Lightning (CC, 7pm)
Ticket information is available online via the Cardiff Devils official website or by phoning 0800 0842 666. Tickets can also be purchased in person from the main reception at Ice Arena Wales.