By Terry Phillips

 

Cardiff Devils 3, Nottingham Panthers 1

Cardiff Devils are setting a sizzling pace at the top of Elite League.

They earned a fifth successive victory, beating Nottingham Panthers, and stand 13 points ahead of second-placed Sheffield Steelers.

Captain Jake Morissette and his Devils team hit back from a goal down to take the points thanks to goals from Joey Martin, Guillaume Doucet and Sean Bentivoglio.

John Lawless, the man who founded the club in 1986, was back in Cardiff to join Devils’ 30th anniversary celebrations and it was another dramatic night at Ice Arena Wales.

Panthers lost their composure during the third period with Robert Farmer ordered off the ice after being given a 10 minute penalty for abuse of officials.

Brian McGrattan then told referee Mike Hicks and his linesmen what he thought when the game ended and he was given two 10 minute penalties for the same offence.

This was another gritty, intense team performance from Devils, who have scored 20 goals in their last five matches.

They now turn to Saturday’s home clash with Edinburgh Capitals at the IAW in Cardiff Bay (7pm).

Devils had big defenceman Mark Louis back after injury with Chris Culligan the man rested. They hit back from a goal down against Panthers during a dramatic final period, scoring three goals without reply.

After a scoreless opening period, Panthers went ahead after 33 minutes 17 seconds when Brad Moran banged in a loose puck on the powerplay.

That proved the only goal scored in the opening 40 minutes, but Devils kept pressing and Martin tied the game at 1-1 (43-01).

The turning point came after 48-01 when Doucet tipped in a shot from Mark Louis to give Devils a 2-1 lead.

Panthers protested, arguing the goal should be ruled out on a high sticks call against Doucet as the Louis shot flew towards the roof of the net.

The visitors threw themselves forward, but were rocked when Robert Farmer took an elbowing call followed by 10 minutes for telling the officials what he thought of their decision.

On the same play Panthers were given a team misconduct penalty and Devils were due to have a 5v3 powerplay.

In a desperate last ditch move Nottingham coach Corey Neilson called Devils’ Patrick Asselin for an illegal stick to try and get a man back and it worked.

Neilson then pulled goalie Miika Wiikman to give themselves an extra skater, but this was Cardiff’s night and Sean Bentivoglio scored their third goal into an empty net.

Match stats
Scorers, Devils: Joey Martin 1+0, Guillaume Doucet 1+0, Sean Bentivoglio (empty net), Patrick Asselin 0+1, Andrew Hotham 0+1, Mark Louis 0+1, Gleason Fournier 0+1, Scott Hotham 0+1.

Panthers: Brad Moran 1+0, Robert Farmer 0+1, Chris Lawrence 0+1.
Period scores (Devils first): 0-0; 0-1 (0-1); 3-0 (3-1).
Powerplays: Devils 2/6; Panthers 1/3.

Shots on goal: Devils (on Wiikman) 12+11+6=29; Panthers (on Bowns) 10+5+7=22.

Penalties in minutes: Devils 4+4+2=10; Panthers 6+2+38=46.
Referee: Mike Hicks.
Attendance: 2,553.

Men of the match: Devils, Ben Bowns; Panthers, Brad Moran.
Ticket information for Saturday’s home match against Edinburgh is available via 0800 0842 666.