By Matthew Burgess
Brodie Dupont admitted his frustrations after the Cardiff Devils fickle early-season form continued on Sunday against visiting Guildford Flames in the Challenge Cup.
Devils outshot the Flames 41-30 but were unable to recover after former Cardiff defenceman Ben O’Connor fired Guildford into a two-goal lead midway through the second period
Guildford led from the first period after Bradley Lalonde lasered a shot in over the glove of Devils starting goaltender Taran Kozun.
The Devils had to wait until the final period to find a way past impressive Flames goalie Eamon McAdam as Riley Brandt tipped in Justin Crandall’s shot two minutes into the third frame.
Dan Tedesco quashed hopes of a Devils comeback when his power play marker quickly restored Guildford’s two-goal advantage to see off the hosts for the second weekend in a row, with McAdam making 39 saves.
Speaking to Devils TV, Brodie Dupont rued costly errors after watching his team remain winless in the Challenge Cup.
“I felt like we made some mental errors and breakdowns and Guildford capitalised on them. We couldn’t seem to get anything going and the team started to get a little frustrated at the end, taking a few penalties.
“Overall, it was just kind of a frustrating night.”
Brodie Reid scored for a successive game, on another multi-point night for the winger, after Taran Kozun had been pulled from the Devils net in the closing stages.
The Devils have been unable to replicate the results from their unbeaten start to the Elite League in the Challenge Cup, where they continue to search for their first points in Group B.
Guildford top the group with a six points from three games, Coventry Blaze sit second with three from two.
Two games against in-form Coventry this week could determine whether they will advance, with the best two third-placed teams in each group able to progress to the eight-team knockout round.
Devils travel to Coventry for Thursday’s televised encounter before facing Blaze back at Ice Arena Wales next Saturday night.
DEVILS 2, GUILDFORD 3
Box score: 0-1, 0-1, 2-1
SOG:41-30
Power play: 1/6, 1/5
Brodie Reid 1G, 1A
Riley Brandt 1G
Cole Sanford 7 shots
Ryan Penny FO: 57% (11/7)
Taran Kozun 27 saves
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Nottingham Panthers 3-2 OT Sheffield Steelers (CC)
Dundee Stars 1-4 Belfast Giants (CC)
Coventry Blaze 3-2 Fife Flyers
Manchester Storm 6-3 Glasgow Clan
Tickets for all forthcoming Cardiff Devils games are available via the team’s official site.
Featured image courtesy of James Assinder