Devils bite back after a Boxing Day beating

HELPED by a five-goal first period blitz, the Cardiff Devils avenged their Boxing Day defeat to the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze winning by a 6-2 scoreline at Ice Arena Wales.

The Blaze suffered an early blow as a crunching hit by Cardiff’s Evan Mosey left Justin Hache hurt and out for the remainder of the game.

Following another early physical clash, the Devils took advantage of Tim Crowder’s slashing retaliation, opening the scoring on the powerplay through defenceman Drew Scheistel (1.11).

The late-season signing then made it 2-0 shorthanded at 3.16. Just seconds later (3.24), Alex Nikiforuk dropped the gloves for the first time in Blaze colours taking on Mosey, most likely seeking retribution for the hit that caused Hache’s earlier injury.

In-form Ben Lake with his 18th of the season, and fifth straight away game with at least a point made it 2-1 with a silky move and finish (7.09).

The game then got away from Coventry, conceding three in quick succession.

Layne Ulmer (17.18) on the powerplay followed by Charles Linglet (17.37) chased Miroslav Kopriva from the Blaze goal at 4-1, the Czech being replaced by Brit Jordan Hedley.

He was beaten quickly (18.13), Mike Hedden leaving Blaze shell shocked by a score of 5-1 after 20 minutes.

Coventry managed to settle following the intermission, and with a wide gap in the scoreline, the intensity dropped slightly for the remainder of the game.

It took until 56.08 for the next goal with Blaze’s Alex Forbes grabbing his third of the season following great work by Crowder.

Joey Haddad unassisted wrapped up the scoring for the victorious home side at 58.33 for a final score of 6-2.