Cardiff Devils are wowing ice hockey fans at Ice Arena Wales.
They powered to a 4-1 win against Fife Flyers in Cardiff Bay in front of a sell-out attendance – and next Saturday’s home clash with Coventry Blaze will also attract a 3,000-plus full house.
There are only 40 tickets left for the Elite League match clash with Blaze as Devils focus on a big finish to their 2017-18 season.
Coach Andrew Lord and his team won a trophy treble last season, while they are top of the league again and intent on adding to their haul of championships.
Their high speed, hard-hitting style is proving a big draw for fans, while they are earning results to back up those qualities.
Devils head north to Scotland on Wednesday for their next Elite League test before playing Coventry twice in two days – at home next Saturday and away the best evening.
Head coach Andrew Lord and his players overcame a major test of their title credentials when they won against rivals Fife Flyers at Ice Arena Wales.
Patrick Asselin, Gleason Fournier, Joey Martin and Paul Crowder scored for Devils against a Flyers team who have been chasing the leaders hard.
Hard-hitting Crowder, Joey Haddad and Justin Faryna were the first line out for Cardiff, followed by Martin, Jake Morissette and Matt Pope.
Sean Bentivoglio, Layne Ulmer and Asselin were the third line out on a night when Devils opened a two-goal lead during the first period and earned the win they needed.
Josh Batch, returning to the team after injury, and Matthew Myers went out to add extra punch against a fast and dangerous Flyers team.
Devils piled on the pressure for the first six minutes of the period went ahead when Asselin scored on the powerplay after six minutes and eight seconds.
Top quality forechecking by Crowder, Faryna and Haddad led to the puck being deflected into the middle of the ice after 11-55, where Gleason Fournier grabbed it and rifled a wrist shot over the shoulder of netminder Andy Iles to make it 2-0.
Flyers pulled a goal back midway through the second period when Chase Schaber stole the puck behind Devils and jammed it in the back of the net before Ben Bowns was aware of where it was (31-32).
Devils were on top for the first five minutes of the third and Martin scored to make it 3-1. Fife goalie Iles played the puck directly to Josh Batch and he picked out Martin streaking into the zone for the goal at 44-37.
Crowder put the Devils 4-1 ahead after 52-58 after a scoring chance for man of the match Faryna left Crowder with a rebound he fired past Iles.
Next up for the Devils is a trip to Glasgow on Wednesday to face the Braehead Clan before returning to Cardiff for that home match against Coventry Blaze next Saturday.
Match stats v Flyers:
Scorers: Devils: Patrick Asselin 1+0, Gleason Fournier 1+0, Joey Martin 1+0, Paul Crowder 1+0, Sean Bentivoglio 0+1, Andrew Hotham 0+1, Joey Haddad 0+1, Josh Batch 0+1, Matthew Myers 0+1, Justin Faryna 0+1.
Flyers: Chase Schaber 1+0.
Period scores (Devils first): 2-0; 1-0 (3-0); 1-1 (4-1).
Shots on goal: Devils (on Iles) 11+12+2=25; Flyers (on Bowns) 6+11+0=17.
Penalties in minutes: Devils 4+6+2=12; Flyers 6+0+0=6.
Powerplays: Devils 1/3; Flyers 0/6.
Referees: Mike Hicks and Matt Rose
Other Elite League results on Sunday: Manchester Storm 5, Coventry Blaze 2; Nottingham Panthers 7, Milton Keynes Lightning 3; Belfast Giants 3, Guildford Flames 1; Sheffield Steelers 5, Edinburgh Capitals 1; Braehead Clan 1, Dundee Stars.
Tickets for Cardiff’s home Challenge Cup semi-final against Sheffield Steelers on Wednesday, February 7 are on sale. The game is not included on season tickets.
Season ticket holders are now able to book their seats by telephone on 0800 0842 666 or in person at the main reception of Ice Arena Wales.
To book Devils tickets online CLICK HERE or call 0800 0842 666.
ELITE LEAGUE STANDINGS
| Rk | Team | GP | W | L | WPCT | Pts |
| 1 | Cardiff Devils | 34 | 25 | 7 | .765 | 52 |
| 2 | Belfast Giants | 36 | 25 | 10 | .708 | 51 |
| 3 | Fife Flyers | 31 | 22 | 8 | .726 | 45 |
| 4 | Sheffield Steelers | 34 | 20 | 11 | .632 | 43 |
| 5 | Manchester Storm | 35 | 19 | 11 | .614 | 43 |
| 6 | Guildford Flames | 35 | 18 | 11 | .600 | 42 |
| 7 | Nottingham Panthers | 33 | 19 | 11 | .621 | 41 |
| 8 | Braehead Clan | 36 | 15 | 17 | .472 | 34 |
| 9 | Coventry Blaze | 36 | 14 | 18 | .444 | 32 |
| 10 | Dundee Stars | 34 | 13 | 18 | .426 | 29 |
| 11 | Milton Keynes Lightning | 35 | 13 | 21 | .386 | 27 |
| 12 | Edinburgh Capitals | 35 | 4 | 30 | .129 | 9 |