Cardiff Devils 3, Sheffield Steelers 2 (after sudden death overtime and penalties)

Cardiff Devils bounced back in style after their crushing eight-goal defeat against Nottingham Panthers on Saturday, beating their biggest rivals Sheffield Steelers for a fourth time in the Elite League this season.

In a drama packed match Devils led twice, thanks to Joey Haddad and Patrick Asselin, but were pegged back each time.

League leaders Devils won thanks to a sublime penalty finish by man of the match Asselin. He left Ervins Mustukovs spread-eagled before firing the winning goal.

First period

Devils were without Chris Culligan and Sean Bentivoglio because of injuries. Neither have serious problems, but the home team did not want to risk minor injuries becoming more serious.

Collegian has been close to a return for a week or so, but was not quite ready.

During a fast and furious first period neither team gave an inch.

Patrick Bordeleau, Cardiff’s heavyweight forward, threw some big hits, while home defenceman Josh Batch went toe-to-toe with Guillaume Desbiens. Both were given five minute penalties for fighting.

Steelers picked up two minor penalties, but Devils could not break down their efficient pen salty kill.

It was a fast, furious and excellent opening period with both goalies, Ben Bowns and Sheffield’s Mustukovs, making big saves.

On the balance of play Devils appeared to have the edge, but the visitors outshot their hosts 14-7.

End of first: Devils 0, Steelers 0.

Second period

Patrick Bordeleau joined Layne Ulmer and Andrew Lord on a line, with the usual Jake Morisette, Joey Martin plus Asselin plus Matthew Myers, Haddad and Guillaume Doucet.

David Brine, Chris Jones and Luke Piggott also had regular shifts.

Devils went ahead after Steelers were penalised for having too many men on the ice. The powerplay started at 21-36 and Haddad netted 33 seconds later.

Lord and Gleason Fournier, whose shot was tipped in by Haddad, provided the assists.

Both teams had breakaway chances and Steelers were rescued by goalie Mustukovs when Piggott skated clear, making a double save when he blocked the first effort and then stopped Brine’s follow-up.

Steelers levelled the scores after 31-37 when Colton Fretter fired low into the net.

End of second: Devils 1, Steelers 1.

Third period

Lord’s one-man break early in the final period led to a huge save by Sheffield’s Mustukovs, but that only delayed Devils regaining the lead.

Martin’s composed approach and slick pass gave Asselin a difficult chance and he came up with an outstanding finish, flicking a backhand shot high into the net past Mustukovs on 44-23.

Haddad was denied by the Steelers goalie when it seemed he had to score and then, on 47-24, the visitors made it 2-2 with Mathieu Roy producing a clinical finish.

Steelers had their first powerplay chance of the evening when Scott Hotham was sent to the penalty box on a two minute minor and they were convinced they had scored with only four minutes left.

The puck slid gently under netminder Bowns during a hectic scramble in from of goal, but a defenceman whipped it off the line. The goal judge flashed his light to signal it had crossed the line, but referee Mike Hicks clearly felt it didn;t and ruled it out.

Furious Sheffield protests led to Hicks calling the goal judge round for a chat and the decision was no goal.

I was watching from a high position looking along Bowns’ goal and am convinced the puck did not cross the line.

End of third: Devils 2, Steelers 2.

Overtime

The teams had secured a point each because the match went into overtime and then set about five-minutes of sudden death, 3v3 players.

Steelers hit a post and then broke with two forwards against one D-man, but were caught offside and Devils fans breathed a sigh of relief.

With one minute 52 seconds left of sudden death Devils’ Fournier was penalised for tripping, giving Sheffield a 4v3 advantage.

Devils held on with Bowns magnificent, while Morissette was among those to throw themselves in front of shots.

End of overtime: Devils 2, Steelers 2.

Penalty shoot-out

Patrick Asselin produced a magnificent finish from the sixth penalty, taking the puck wide of Mustukovs and sliding his shot low into the empty net.

Steelers (v Bowns): Schultz (saved), Armstrong (missed), Fretter (saved), Asselin (goal).

Devils (v Mustukovs): Morissette (saved), Martin (saved).

Match stats

Scorers, Devils: Joey Haddad 1+0, Patrick Asselin 2+0, Joey Martin 0+1, Gleason Fournier 0+1, Andrew Lord 0+1.

Steelers: Guillaume Desbiens 1+0, Mathieu Roy 1+0, Yared Hagos 0+1, Anders Franzon 0+1,

Period scores (Devils first) 0-0; 1-1 (1-1); 1-1 (2-2); 1-0 (3-2).

Penalties in minutes: Devils 5+0+2=7; Steelers 9+2+0-11.

Referee: Mike Hicks