Justin Faryna was the toast of Cardiff Devils after a five-star display against Sheffield Steelers.
Devils extended their winning run in Elite League ice hockey by beating their rivals 4-1 at Ice Arena Wales.
Home fans chanted man of the match Faryna’s name on the night he returned after a facial injury which had left him with concussion and an eye injury.
Devils gave the Canadian forward time to recover and he repaid his team with a four-points haul.
It was a game where there was little tension for the home team. Steelers came out hard in the middle period, but they had no cutting edge.
Devils supporters settled down to enjoy themselves in the third and Sheffield were relieved to get away with a 4-1 defeat.
Cardiff, who joined Belfast Giants in joint first place and have two games in hand, are at home again on Sunday when Braehead Clan are visitors.
Devils were without Mark Louis, Andrew Lord, Josh Batch and Craig Moore, while Steelers welcomed defenceman Zack Fitzgerald back into their team.
Fitzgerald, though, wore a full face mask after being hit on the face by a puck and spending time out of the team.
Lord’s team produced a solid performance, forcing Steelers back.
Devils started ferociously and after two shifts of relentless forechecking Faryna batted in a rebound to open the scoring with his linemates Joey Haddad and Paul Crowder picking up assists.
The home team came out hard, taking the game to Steelers with an intensity and commitment which rocked the away team.
Joey Martin dropped the gloves with Andreas Jamtin which sparked up the sell-out crowd at Ice Arena Wales.
The visitors seemed unable to clear the puck from their zone consistently and that led to a lot of Devils pressure.
Faryna was in sizzling form, scoring two goals and adding two assists in front of a sell-out attendance at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay.
Steelers were simply unable to live with the confidence and work ethic of a Devils team who have now won six successive matches.
They now play Breahead Clan at the IAW on Sunday evening (6pm).
Sheffield coach Paul Thompson came in for stick from home fans, chanting: “Thommo, Thommo – it’s all your fault, it’s all your fault” when the match went into the final two minutes.
Devils fans stood and applauded their team through the final minute, yelling ‘Cardiff, Cardiff’ as Steelers were left down and out.
Devils led 2-0 after the first period with Faryna (1-52) and Paul Crowder (13-10) the scorers.
The home team opened a four-goal lead with Faryna (21-21)and Joey Haddad (26-06) on target early in the second period, while Steelers netted a consolation goal on 33 minutes 48 seconds, but the visitors could not mount a comeback and Devils saw out the final period with few problems.
It was a fast and physical game throughout, but Devils always had the edge and emerged worthy winners.
Captain Jake Morissette and his team now focus on the visit from Braehead Clan on Sunday.
Match stats:
Scorers, Devils: Justin Faryna 2+2, Joey Haddad 1+2, Paul Crowder 1+1, Joey Martin 0+1, Bryce Reddick 0+1, Andrew Hotham 0+1.
Steelers: Andreas Jamtin 1+0, Matt Marquardt 0+1.
Period scores (Devils first): 2-0, 2-1 (4-1)
Shots on goal: Devils (on Mustukovs) 9+5+10=22; Steelers (on Bowns) 3+8+10=21.
Powerplays: Devils 0/1; Steelers 0/2.
Penalties in minutes: Devils 6+2+0=8; 4+2+0=6
Referee: Jan Schmejkal
Stars of the game: Devils, Justin Faryna; Steelers, David Phillips.
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Cardiff Devils remaining fixtures during December:
Sunday 17 v Braehead Clan (home, 6pm)
Wednesday 20: v Guildford Flames (away, Challenge Cup first leg)
Friday 22 v Braehead Clan (away, 7.30pm)
Saturday 23 v Dundee Stars (home, 7pm)
Tuesday 26 v Coventry Blaze (home, 6pm)
Wednesday 27 v Coventry Blaze (away, 7.30pm)
Saturday 30 v MK Lightning (home, 7pm)