ICE HOCKEY
Mixed weekend for Devils ahead of European test
DEVILS’ powerplay went two for five to propel them past Manchester Storm 3-1 in the Elite League.
The opening goal came off the stick of Matthew Myers, who was set up by Sean Bentivoglio and Joey Martin for the Devils’ first powerplay goal of the game at 5:54.
A penalty late in the first period against the Storm opened the door for the powerplay to go to work at the start of the middle period. It took less than 30 seconds to double the lead when Sean McMonagle set up Joey Haddad for the one-timer shot past Matt Ginn to make it 2-0 at 20:28.
At 31:24, Mathieu Gagnon and Mark Louis were both called for roughing and as the teams skated four on four, it was the Storm that pulled a goal back. Tyson Fawcett found Dallas Ehrhardt all alone and he fired the puck low past Ben Bowns to make it 2-1.
When Louis and Gagnon got out of the penalty box, they dropped the gloves and headed straight back into the sin-bin for another five minutes.
Storm’s defensive style was frustrating, but effective, as they kept the Devils offence at bay throughout the third period.
The teams traded powerplay chances in the final 12 minutes of the game, but neither team could convert with the man advantage.
With 19 seconds left the game, Haddad sealed the win for Devils with an empty-net goal.
Meanwhile, two late goals for Coventry Blaze saw them to a 3-1 home victory against Devils on Sunday in a Challenge Cup match.
Thomas Murdy got the start for the Devils in goal and he kept the Blaze at bay for 45 minutes of the game, stopping 26 shots on the night.
After a scoreless opening period, it was Devils captain Joey Martin who opened the scoring at 23:08 with Matt Pope and Gleason Fournier assisting on the play.
The Devils thought they had doubled the lead through Matthew Myers but, after a video review, it was ruled no-goal. Moments later, Myers looked like he had scored again but a video review again saw the goal disallowed, this time for the net being knocked off before the puck went into the net.
The score remained 1-0 for Devils into the third period, but at 45:16, the Blaze finally got one past Murdy. Janne Laakkonen tucked in a rebound after Murdy made the initial save and the score was tied up at 1-1.
The game looked like it was headed into overtime, but in the final minute, Evan Bloodoff picked off a pass behind the Devils net and found Charles Corcoran out front and he beat Murdy for the game-winner with 41 seconds left to play.
Blaze’s Justin Hamonic added an empty net goal to round off the scoring and take the points.
Devils head to Sweden tonight to play defending Champions League holders Frolunda Indians in a top-of-the group clash in Gothenburg (5pm) before hosting Dundee Stars on Thursday (7.30pm).