Devils Back On Course For Elite League Glory

Cardiff Devils 2, Glasgow Clan 0

Goalie Ben Bowns kept a third successive home shutout for Cardiff Devils and kept his team on course for an Elite League triple crown.

Bowns stopped all 25 shots he faced, his fourth shutout in the last six games.

Devils have won the Elite League title for two successive seasons and are now top again with five matches left.

It’s going to be a tough run-in, but Devils have the experience from the last two seasons to ensure they stay calm.

Layne Ulmer missed both matches this weekend after his wife gave birth to their second child, but Devils still have a full complement of import players.

Reaction: Andrew Lord & Pete Russell on @cardiffdevils' win over @ClanIHC #EIHL pic.twitter.com/a1cGKLqEvq

— Elite Ice Hockey League | #EIHL (@officialEIHL) March 17, 2019

The experienced Ulmer will surely return to the team in their remaining fixtures.

It took until just short of the halfway mark for the first goal and it was Sean Bentivoglio who finished off a face-off play for the Devils to break the deadlock. Mike Hedden’s pass found the forward and he slotted past goalie Joel Rumpel.

The hosts doubled their lead after 47-07 on a powerplay when Charles Linglet’s pass was perfect for Stephen Dixon to poke home from close range.

Devils penalty kill had to be on form in the final 12 minutes when they found themselves in penalty trouble. Clan had a 5v3 advantage for more than a minute, but the Devils blocked shot after shot and when the Clan got through, Bowns was there to shut the door. 

Clan did pull Rumpel towards the end to try to force a breakthrough, but they couldn’t deny Bowns another shutout in his own rink, and the Devils go back to two points clear at the top of the league.

https://twitter.com/cardiffdevils/status/1107416829952249858

Match stats:

Scorers, Devils: Sean Bentivoglio 1+0, Stephen Dixon 1+0, Mike Hedden 0+1, Gleason Fournier 0+1, Charles Linglet 0+1, Mark Richardson 0+1.

Period scores (Devils first): 0-0; 1-0 (1-0), 1-0 (2-0).

Shots on goal: Devils (on Joel Rumpel) 9+13+8=30; Clan (on Bowns) 9+8+8=25.

Penalties in minutes: Devils 0+2+6=8; Clan 0+2+14=16.

Special teams: Devils PK 3/3, PP 1/5; Clan PK 4/5, PP 0/3.

Men of the match: Devils, Ben Bowns; Clan, Travis Erhardt.

Referees: Stefan Hogarth and Matt Thompson.

Attendance: 3,100.

Devils tickets: CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or CALL 0800 0842 666 to book

Devils delight. Mark Richardson and Stephen Dixon celebrate (credit David Williams)

Cardiff Devils

Remaining 5 Elite League fixtures

two home, three away

March

Wednesday 20 v Glasgow Clan (away, 7.30pm)

Saturday 23 v Manchester Storm (home, 7pm)

Sunday 24 v Dundee Stars (away, 5pm)

Saturday 30 v MK Lightning (home, 7pm)

Sunday 31 v Coventry Blaze (away, 5.15pm)

Belfast Giants

5 fixtures left, three home, two away

March 

Friday 22 v Manchester Storm (away, 7pm)

Sunday 24 v Sheffield Steelers (home, 4pm)

Wednesday 27 v Coventry Blaze (away, 7.30pm)

Friday 29 v Fife Flyers (home, 7pm)

Saturday 30 v Dundee Stars (home, 7pm)

ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2018/19

TEAM	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	PCT	GF	GA	PIM	STREAK
Cardiff Devils	55	40	9	6	86	.782	216	137	639	1-0
Belfast Giants	55	41	12	2	84	.764	211	135	681	4-0
Nottingham Panthers	57	28	18	11	67	.588	176	175	932	0-1
Glasgow Clan	56	30	21	5	65	.580	194	173	700	0-4
Guildford Flames	55	28	22	5	61	.555	174	165	656	1-0
Sheffield Steelers	57	28	25	4	60	.526	173	196	866	1-0
Fife Flyers	55	27	22	6	60	.545	176	186	786	0-1
Manchester Storm	56	25	26	5	55	.491	168	195	1136	1-0
Coventry Blaze	55	24	24	7	55	.500	192	205	699	1-0
Dundee Stars	56	21	23	12	54	.482	156	187	552	1-0
Milton Keynes Lightning	55	14	37	4	32	.291	138	220	938	0-4