14 Apr 2024, 17:00 | Play-off | QF | Dundee Ice Arena |
Dundee Stars | 2-3 | Cardiff Devils |
Periods: Shots: | 1-1 (17-8) | 0-1 (15-13) | 1-1 (20-7) | Total: 52-28 |
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Referees: Pering/Good  |  Spectators: 2069 |
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Goals and assists
Dundee came out hard as they looked to overturn the two-goal
aggregate deficit from the first leg, and peppered Ben Bowns’ net inside
the opening five minutes. Jake Elmer let a shot go just wide while Ryan
Valentini shot just over before Spencer Naas followed up on a rebound
from a Valentini shot to put the Stars ahead on the night at 3:11, and
just one behind on aggregate. The Devils steadied things and were level
just short of three minutes later as Jamie Arniel lifted the puck over a
sprawling Lucas Brine with 6:09 played. The following 13 minutes and
change were more even than the opening phases that the Stars had
controlled, but Bowns was mainly the reason why the teamed skated off
all square at the break.
The Stars were restricted to fewer chances in period two, mostly
coming on rushes up the ice. Justin Crandall almost put the Devils ahead
in the final three minutes of the period but shot just wide. Crandall
did put the Devils into the lead on the night when he finished a nice
passing play at 39:21, while Bowns made a point-blank save as the clock
ticked down to keep his side three ahead on aggregate. Earlier in the
period, Sam Duggan threw himself in front of a Drydn Dow shot to prevent
the Stars going ahead.
Arniel's shorthanded tally 87 seconds into period three was the
blow that probably put the tie beyond the Stars at an unfortunate time.
The hosts battled to try and get themselves back into things, and did
have a goal to cheer thanks to captain Dow with 1:46 to play.
However, it was the Devils’ weekend as they took the 3-2 win to advance 7-4 on aggregate.