31 Mar 2024, 18:00 | Regular season | Ice Arena Wales |
Cardiff Devils | 4-3 OT | Belfast Giants |
Periods: Shots: | 2-1 (11-14) | 1-1 (12-9) | 0-1 (4-11) | 1-0 (3-3) | Total: 30-37 |
|
Referees: Rose/Ions  |  Spectators: 3100 |
  |
Goals and assists
Cardiff Devils confirmed finishing second this season, and therefore
Belfast third, with a 4-3 overtime win over the Giants on Sunday
afternoon at the Vindico Arena.
It was a nervy start to the game
for the Devils, who were put under good pressure from the Giants in the
opening stages. Belfast were deservedly in front off a Sean Norris tip
on a Josh Roach shot with 4:46 played to open the scoring, and it nearly
got better for the visitors – a double-pad stick from Ben Bowns denying
them their second. Staring the potential of not having scored for five
straight period in the face, the Devils flipped the game in under two
minutes. Evan Mosey tipped Bode Wild’s shot past Jackson Whistle at
16:34 to tie the game, while Riley Brandt put them ahead 95 seconds
before the break.
The Devils finished off killing a 5-on-3
situation in the early part of period two, and as they returned to full
strength the Giants were caught out with two guys behind them - Cole
Sanford touched Mark Richardson's pass into the path of Cody Donaghey to
skate through and beat Whistle 94 seconds into the period. A furious
Adam Keefe called his timeout immediately after the goal. A nice wrist
shot from Greg Printz got the Giants back to within one at 26:25, and
that's where things stayed through to the end of the second.
Belfast
were coming closer and closer to a tying goal as the Devils struggled
to clear their own zone, and they finally got it through Ben Lake with
5:19 left to play.
Overtime followed, and despite chances at both
ends it was a 2-on-1 for the Devils that led to the winner with Trevor
Cox setting up Marcus Crawford to give the Devils the extra point at
63:02.