05 Jan 2019, 19:00 | Regular season | Cardiff Arena |
Cardiff Devils | 3-1 | Manchester Storm |
Periods: Shots: | 1-1 ( - ) | 0-0 ( - ) | 2-0 ( - ) |
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Referees: Tom Pering/Stefan Hogarth  |  Spectators: 3100 |
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Goals and assists
A tight win over Manchester Storm helped Cardiff Devils to stay ahead at the top of the Elite Ice Hockey League.
In front of another excellent crowd at the Viola Arena the Devils took the lead just past the midway point of the opening period, Gleason Fournier’s shot saved by Matt Ginn but Mike Hedden was on hand to go high with the rebound to put the Devils one up with 11:17 gone. Manchester though were level before the period was over – while Dallas Ehrhardt’s shot was blocked by a Devils’ defenseman, Mike Hammond followed up from the slot to fire past Bowns to level the scores at 15:18.
So tight was the game the sides couldn’t be split after 40 minutes, but the deadlock would eventually be broken early in the third. This time it was Fournier himself with the goal, going high over Ginn’s shoulder at 46:40 to give Cardiff the 2-1 lead. A fine individual effort from Matt Pope, cutting in from the wing across Gin and finishing five-hole, secured the Devils the points with just over two minutes to go.