Joey Martin fired up Cardiff Devils’ quest for Elite League honours by scoring an overtime winner against Nottingham Panthers in Cardiff Bay.
Canadian Martin, nicknamed the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), by Devils fans scored an unassisted goal which is far more important than a game winner in front of a 3,000-plus sell-out attendance.
Devils had lost four successive home matches including an 8-1 destruction against Belfast Giants last time out in Cardiff Bay, while they had suffered defeat four times in five fixtures.
It was essential to bring a halt to that run and Martin’s goal, scored two minutes 32 seconds into overtime, earned the victory that was so badly needed.
Joey Haddad and Sam Duggan, with his first goal for the club, were the other scorers.
Devils now head to Dundee Stars for Sunday’s match with renewed belief and then entertain Fife Flyers next Wednesday.
Captain Jake Morissette and his team will be out for revenge against Fife, having lost 5-4 at home against the Scots earlier this month.
Head coach Andrew Lord described the victory as ‘massive’ and is, without doubt, a major statement after the embarrassment of that defeat against Belfast.
The players showed how much they care in a victory which puts them back on track in the title race.
Devils are fourth in the table, but have games in hand on all the teams above them – Belfast, Fife and Nottingham. They are now one point behind Panthers with five fixtures in hand.
Match stats:
Scorers, Devils: Sam Duggan 1+0, Joey Haddad 1+0, Joey Martin 1+0, Evan Mosey 0+1, Charles Linglet 0+1, Bryce Reddick 0+1, Layne Ulmer 0+1.
Panthers: Dylan Olsen 2+0, Robert Farmer 0+2, Alex Guptill 0+1, Tyler Biggs 0+1.
Period scores (Devils first): 2-1; 0-1 (2-2); 0-0 (2-2); 1-0 (3-2).
Shots on goal: Devils (on on Garnett) 14+8+8+3=33; Panthers (on Bowns) 9+10+12+3=34.
Penalties in minutes: Devils 8+4+0=12; Panthers 12+4+2=18.
Special teams: Devils PK 5/6, PP 1/7; Panthers 6/7, PP 1/6.
Devils: Stars of the game: Devils, Joey Martin; Panthers, Dylan Olsen.
Referees: Matt Thompson, Dean Smith.
Other Elite League results: Coventry Blaze 5, Dundee Stars 2; Glasgow Clan 6, MK Lightning 3; Manchester Storm 3, Guildford Flames 2; Fife Flyers 2, Sheffield Steelers 4.
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