Coventry Blaze 2, Cardiff Devils 3

Andrew Lord hailed a ‘huge’ Cardiff Devils win against Coventry Blaze at the Skydome in Coventry.

Devils had to win if they were to keep their Challenge Cup hopes alive and they clawed out a win thanks to a performance full of character and courage.

Patrick Asselin and Joey Haddad were ruled out by injuries, while Mark Richardson went off early in the second after taking a knock.

None of the three have long-term injuries, but Devils were forced to shuffle their lines. Josh Batch had to double-shift on defence and offence to help the team.

Head coach Lord and his team led 2-0 and 3-1, but Blaze battled all the way to stay in contention.

First period

There were, though, no goals and few chances. Cardiff worked hard as a team, but missed too many passes and players seemed to be a little too anxious to find that killer move.

Devils finished the opening 20 minutes on a powerplay and that penalty, against Brett Robinson for tripping, had another one minute 22 seconds to run in the second.

End of period: Blaze 0, Devils 0.

Second period

Devils upped the tempo and took charge, forcing their hosts back and pinning Blaze in for long periods.

It had been a scrappy first, but there was far more intensity, commitment and decisive action in the second.

Cardiff players were taking the body, winning individual battles and forced the issue.

Blaze responded by stepping up their game, but Devils took advantage of a 5v3 powerplay and went ahead.

Matthew Myers, Jake Morissette, Joey Martin, Andrew Hotham and Drew Paris were sent out on the PP and it was Paris who smashed a shot home on 27 minutes 11 seconds.

Paul Crowder netted Cardiff’s second goal on 33-55, firing over the shoulder of goalie Kevin Nastiuk.

Devils fans roared their team on, while Blaze were finding life increasingly difficult against a Devils team fighting for their Challenge Cup lives.

They almost scored, but goalie Ben Bowns saved superbly and when the puck went loose he threw out his stick and nudged the puck away from a Coventry player.

End of second: Blaze 0, Devils 2.

Third period

Coventry pulled a goal back after 42-01 on their own 5v3 powerplay with Marc Vallerand firing home.

Lord restored Cardiff’s two-goal advantage with assists from Jake Morissette and Justin Faryna (46-13), but Coventry were full of heart and hope.

Jordan Pietrus scored unassisted on only 45 seconds later and the home team had just over 13 minutes to come up with a third goal of their own.

Challenge Cup holders knew they had to win this game to stay in with a chance of going through to the knockout stages and they achieved their aim.

At times Devils’ performance was ugly, but they gave everything they had and earned the two points.

Now they have to beat Blaze again when the teams clash in Cardiff’s final group game at Ice Arena Wales on Saturday, October 28 (7pm).

Victory in that match could yet send Devils into the quarter-finals.

Next up for the Welsh club, though, is a trip to play Sheffield Steelers next Saturday followed by Nottingham Panthers at home following evening.

Match stats:

Scorers, Blaze: Marco Vallerand 1+1, Jordan Pietrus 1+0, Ryan Dingle 0+1, Kevin Nastiuk 0+1,

Devils: Drew Paris 1+0, Paul Crowder 1+0, Andrew Lord 1+0, Andrew Hotham 0+1, Justin Faryna 0+1, Joey Martin 0+1, Jake Morissette 0+2.

Period scores (Blaze first): 0-0; 0-2 (0-2); 201 (2-3).

Penalties in minutes: Blaze 4+6+29=39; Devils 6+4+27=37.

Powerplays Blaze 1/5; Devils 1/6.

Shots on goal: Blaze (on Bowns) 8+4+12= 24; Devils (on Nastiuk) 12+13+13=38.

Referee: Mike Hicks.