Devils Gear Up For Finals Weekend


Cardiff Devils booked their place in the semi-finals of the Elite Ice Hockey League play-offs after a 7-4 aggregate victory over Dundee Stars in the quarter-final stage.

The Devils beat the Stars 4-2 in Cardiff on Saturday before travelling to Scotland and finishing the job with a 3-2 win.

Cardiff finished second in the table in the regular season, behind Sheffield Steelers, while Dundee Stars were seventh.

In front of a sold-out Vindico Arena, goals from Sam Duggan, Trevor Cox, and a brace from Tyler Busch, were enough to overcome their Scottish opponents.

Ryan Valentini and Jake Elmer responded for the Stars but their goals were not enough on the day.

An excellent save by the returning Ben Bowns in goal directly led to Duggan’s opener, as his rebound from a Ben Davies’ shot found the net.

Valentini levelled in the second period, but the Devils hit back 33 seconds later through Busch.

Elmer’s feint and finish brought things level at 2-2, but Cardiff pulled ahead yet again through Cox’s effort.

Busch added his second of the game shortly after the start of the third period, giving the Devils a two-goal lead going into the second leg.

Dundee flew out of the traps in the second leg and took the lead through Spencer Naas.

Jamie Arniel calmed the nerves of the travelling Devils fans when he tied the game before the end of the first period.

Justin Crandall settled the result for Cardiff in the middle period before both teams traded goals in the third, thanks to Arniel’s second and Drydn Dow for the Stars.

The Devils will face Belfast Giants in the semi-finals in Nottingham on April 20th with victory there leading to the final against either Guildford Flames or Sheffield Steelers the following day.