Cardiff Devils 2, Glasgow Clan 0
Goalie Ben Bowns kept a third successive home shutout for Cardiff Devils and kept his team on course for an Elite League triple crown.
Bowns stopped all 25 shots he faced, his fourth shutout in the last six games.
Devils have won the Elite League title for two successive seasons and are now top again with five matches left.
It’s going to be a tough run-in, but Devils have the experience from the last two seasons to ensure they stay calm.
Layne Ulmer missed both matches this weekend after his wife gave birth to their second child, but Devils still have a full complement of import players.
Reaction: Andrew Lord & Pete Russell on @cardiffdevils' win over @ClanIHC #EIHL pic.twitter.com/a1cGKLqEvq
— Elite Ice Hockey League | #EIHL (@officialEIHL) March 17, 2019
The experienced Ulmer will surely return to the team in their remaining fixtures.
It took until just short of the halfway mark for the first goal and it was Sean Bentivoglio who finished off a face-off play for the Devils to break the deadlock. Mike Hedden’s pass found the forward and he slotted past goalie Joel Rumpel.
The hosts doubled their lead after 47-07 on a powerplay when Charles Linglet’s pass was perfect for Stephen Dixon to poke home from close range.
Devils penalty kill had to be on form in the final 12 minutes when they found themselves in penalty trouble. Clan had a 5v3 advantage for more than a minute, but the Devils blocked shot after shot and when the Clan got through, Bowns was there to shut the door.
Clan did pull Rumpel towards the end to try to force a breakthrough, but they couldn’t deny Bowns another shutout in his own rink, and the Devils go back to two points clear at the top of the league.
https://twitter.com/cardiffdevils/status/1107416829952249858
Match stats:
Scorers, Devils: Sean Bentivoglio 1+0, Stephen Dixon 1+0, Mike Hedden 0+1, Gleason Fournier 0+1, Charles Linglet 0+1, Mark Richardson 0+1.
Period scores (Devils first): 0-0; 1-0 (1-0), 1-0 (2-0).
Shots on goal: Devils (on Joel Rumpel) 9+13+8=30; Clan (on Bowns) 9+8+8=25.
Penalties in minutes: Devils 0+2+6=8; Clan 0+2+14=16.
Special teams: Devils PK 3/3, PP 1/5; Clan PK 4/5, PP 0/3.
Men of the match: Devils, Ben Bowns; Clan, Travis Erhardt.
Referees: Stefan Hogarth and Matt Thompson.
Attendance: 3,100.
Devils tickets: CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or CALL 0800 0842 666 to book
Cardiff Devils
Remaining 5 Elite League fixtures
two home, three away
March
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
5 fixtures left, three home, two away
March
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)
ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2018/19
| TEAM | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | PCT | GF | GA | PIM | STREAK |
| Cardiff Devils | 55 | 40 | 9 | 6 | 86 | .782 | 216 | 137 | 639 | 1-0 |
| Belfast Giants | 55 | 41 | 12 | 2 | 84 | .764 | 211 | 135 | 681 | 4-0 |
| Nottingham Panthers | 57 | 28 | 18 | 11 | 67 | .588 | 176 | 175 | 932 | 0-1 |
| Glasgow Clan | 56 | 30 | 21 | 5 | 65 | .580 | 194 | 173 | 700 | 0-4 |
| Guildford Flames | 55 | 28 | 22 | 5 | 61 | .555 | 174 | 165 | 656 | 1-0 |
| Sheffield Steelers | 57 | 28 | 25 | 4 | 60 | .526 | 173 | 196 | 866 | 1-0 |
| Fife Flyers | 55 | 27 | 22 | 6 | 60 | .545 | 176 | 186 | 786 | 0-1 |
| Manchester Storm | 56 | 25 | 26 | 5 | 55 | .491 | 168 | 195 | 1136 | 1-0 |
| Coventry Blaze | 55 | 24 | 24 | 7 | 55 | .500 | 192 | 205 | 699 | 1-0 |
| Dundee Stars | 56 | 21 | 23 | 12 | 54 | .482 | 156 | 187 | 552 | 1-0 |
| Milton Keynes Lightning | 55 | 14 | 37 | 4 | 32 | .291 | 138 | 220 | 938 | 0-4 |