Cardiff Devils Bring Down Giants In Fifth Successive Win

Cardiff Devils earned a fifth successive victory and sent Belfast Giants crashing to their first home defeat of the season in Northern Ireland.

Goals from Justin Faryna, Gleason Fournier and Joey Martin led Devils to a 3-0 Elite League victory at the SSE Arena.

Devils controlled the puck during the first period, outshooting their hosts 17-7, and went ahead when Justin Faryna burst clear and lifted the puck over goalie Jackson Whistle’s shoulder after a seven minutes 49 seconds.

After a goalless second period Devils strengthened their grip when Fournier swapped passes with Matthew Myers and slotted home before Martin added an empty net goal.

Patrick Asselin and Mark Richardson were back in the Devils team, while Joey Haddad and Mark Louis were the import scratches.

Sean Bentivoglio, Martin and Matt Pope started for Devils, followed by Andrew Lord Paul Crowder Jake Morissette.

Justin Faryna, Josh Batch and Layne Ulmer were the third line out, while Matthew Myers, Craig Moore and Asselin completed the forward line-up.

Devils maintained control, keeping the puck in style and forcing Giants to play on the counter-attack. Belfast pulled goalie Jackson Whistle with more than two minutes left and it was Martin who scored an empty net goal after 57-45.

Netminder Ben Bowns was man of the match, keeping out 36-shots and completing a third shut-out this season.

Devils now play Edinburgh Capitals at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay this evening (Sunday, 6pm).

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Match stats:

Scorers, Devils: Justin Faryna 1+0, Joey Martin 1+0, Gleason Fournier 1+0, Matthew Myers 0+2, Tyson Strachan 0+1, Bryce Reddick 0+1.

Period scores (Giants first) 0-1; 0-0 (0-1); 0-2 (0-3).

Shots on goal: Giants (on Bowns) 7+18+11=36; Devils (on Whistle) 17+13+16=46.

Penalties in minutes: Giants 2+2+0=4; Devils 2+4+4=10.

Powerplays: Giants 0/5; Devils 0/2.

Attendance: 5,285

Referee: Dean Smith.

Stars of the game: Giants, Jackson Whistle; Ben Bowns.

The eight Challenge Cup quarter-finalists have been confirmed for knockout stages.

The latest results confirmed a last eight spot for Nottingham Panthers, following their win over Braehead Clan in Group A.

The 5-1 loss means Braehead won’t make progress.

Manchester Storm lost 3-1 to Sheffield Steelers and are also out.

Dundee Stars have qualified by virtue of having a better third place record in Group B and progress along with Belfast Giants and Fife Flyers.

Milton Keynes Lightning are through as Group C winners, but second and third place is still to be decided between the cup holders Devils and Guildford Flames.

Both sides will progress, while victory for Flames in their final game against Coventry Blaze next Saturday will secure second place in the group.

Quarter-final teams: Sheffield Steelers, Nottingham Panthers, Belfast Giants, Fife Flyers, Dundee Stars, Milton Keynes Lightning, Cardiff Devils, Guildford Flames.

The teams eliminated are: Braehead Clan, Manchester Storm, Edinburgh Capitals, Coventry Blaze.