Drew’s Deadly Finish Earns Historic Champions Hockey League Win

Cardiff Devils 4, HC Davos 3

after sudden death overtime

When ice hockey fans drool over glorious Cardiff Devils moments in their history my two-year-old grandson, Cameron, can say: “I was there the night they defeated HC Davos.”

This was Cameron’s first ever ice hockey match – and Devils powered to victory against one of the best teams in European hockey.

HC Davos have been Swiss champions 31 times and crushed Devils 10-1 at home only a couple of weeks ago.

Player-coach Andrew Lord and his players learn fast and left the visitors breathless and beaten by the sheer ferocity of their performance in the return at Ice Arena Wales.

This was Devils at their best, a team bursting with character, heart, hunger, desire, skill, composure and patience.

Cameron, clearly, loved the atmosphere and, while he struggled to say Devils, quickly learned Reds were THE team. And he was able to say Reds.

There have been so massive Devils moments over the last 30 years. League titles, cup triumphs, fabulous comebacks, European success and more.

Cardiff are currently Elite League, Challenge Cup and Erhardt Conference champions and those successes are still fresh memories.

Believe me, though, this win against Davos is right up their with the best moments in Devils history.

Any Devils fan who could have attended this one and failed to do so made a major mistake. Huge.

This was a Champions Hockey League match full of quality, drama and controversy.

Devils fans were furious when, with the score at 3-3 and only a couple of minutes left, Joey Martin flashed a shot high into the Davos net.

The home faithful roared their approval and thought that would be the winner, but referee Tom Darnell ruled it out because there was a home player in the crease. Video replays showed the decision was spot on.

Matt Pope was the player and he seemed to fall into netminder Joren van Pottelberghe as the puck flew in.

Davos were saved by that decision, but it only delayed their fate.

The teams were locked at 3-3 after 60 minutes and Devils went into overtime on a powerplay with Andres Ambuhl in the penalty box for tripping.

It was defenceman Drew Paris who scored the winner, firing home with assists from Pope and Martin only 23 seconds into the five minutes of sudden death action.

Mark Richardson, Martin and Pope had scored Devils first three goals. The home team trailed 1-0 after three minutes 23 seconds, led 2-1 and then fell behind at 2-3.

But this was Cardiff’s night. Goalie Ben Bowns capped a supreme personal performance with a magnificent glove save when the score was 3-3.

Davos officials and players on their bench even started celebrating as the puck flew goalwards, but Bowns ended their joy by grabbing it in mid-air.

Devils scored three powerplay goals, while Richardson’s opener came on a delayed penalty call.

Davos, too, had powerplay chances, but the home special teams were in outstanding form and killed four of the Swiss teams five opportunities.

This was an historic CHL triumph for Cardiff Devils. A victory which will surely never be forgotten.

They still have group fixtures against Swedish team Vaxjo Lakers to play next month, but coach Lord and his players are already focused on their domestic Challenge Cup clashes with MK Lightning (home) and Guildford Flames (away) next weekend.

Match stats: 

Scorers, Devils: Mark Richardson 1+0, Joey Martin 1+0, Matt Pope 1+1, Drew Paris 1+0, Layne Ulmer 0+1, JUstin Faryna 0+1, Joey Haddad 0+1, Sean Bentivoglio 0+2, Andrew Hotham 0+2.

Davos: Nando Eggenberger 1+0, Andres Ambuhl 1+0, Dario Simion 1+0, Fabian Heldner 0+1, Enzo Corvi 0+1, Gregory Sciaroni 0+1, Claude-Curdin Paschoud 0+1.

Period scores (Devils first): 2-1; 1-2 (3-3); 0-0 (3-3); 1-0 (4-3).

Penalties in minutes: Devils 2+6+2=10; Davos 4+2+6=12.

Shots on goal: Devils (on Pottelberghe) 10+7+10+1=28; Davos (on Bowns) 9+10+7+0=26.

Powerplays: Devils 3/6; Davos 1/5.

Referee: Tom Darnell and Mikko Kaukokari.

Attendance: 2,702.