HC Davos 10, Cardiff Devils 1
Cardiff Devils were left gasping for breath in the high altitude of the Alpine region.
The Elite League champions were outskated by Swiss team HC Davos, who are among the leading teams in Europe.
While Vaxjo Lakers defeated Czech team Bili Tygri Liberec 4-3 after overtime in the same Champions League group, Devils spent most of their Champions Hockey League group match trying to limit the damage.
This was always going to be a huge test because of the altitude, which can suck the energy out of players until they are used to it, and the sheer quality of a Davos team who have so much quality.
Player-coach Andrew was unable to play because he was needed on the bench, while the game started badly for the visitors when they were hit by two minor penalty calls in the first few minutes.
That gave Davos a 5v3 penalty and they scored twice, the only goals of that opening period.
Devils worked their way back into the game and were competitive for some time in the second period when a goal would have opened up opportunities.
Davos, though, were clinical and scored five goals in the second period before winning the third 3-1.
The home team outshot Devils 41-22, but the Welsh visitors were excellent on face-offs, winning twice the number Davos managed (48-24).
Joey Martin scored for Devils, assisted by Sean Bentivoglio and Andrew Hotham, and there were moments when they went desperately close.
There were a lot of Devils fans watching on the big screen at the Bierkeller in Cardiff and the roar which went up when Martin fired home must have been heard at Ice Arena Wales.
Justin Faryna was just wide with a fierce shot, while Bentivoglio and Matt Pope were both denied by outstanding saves.
Thomas Murdy took over from Ben Bowns during the second period and did well between the pipes, while Devils can reflect with some pride at the way they competed and kept going against superior opposition.
The key to this defeat is that Devils must learn the lessons and come out hard against Bili Tygri Liberec on Saturday. If it had not been for those early penalties which resulted in two powerplay goals this could have been a vastly different game.
Davos would still have won, but the scoreline would not have hit double figures for the home team.
Match stats:
Scorers, Davos: Felicier Dubois (2), Chris Egli, Nando Eggenberger, Marc Wieser, Mauro Jorg, Robert Kousal, Sven Jung, Gregory Sciaroni, Magnus Nygren.
Devils: Joey Martin 1+0, Sean Bentivoglio 0+1, Andrew Hitham 0+1.
Period scores (Davos first): 2-0; 5-0 (7-0); 3-1 (10-1).
Powerplays: Davis 13, Devils 6.
Penalties in minutes: Davos 12, Devils 22.
Face-offs won: Davos 24, Devils 48.
Shots on goal: Davos 41, Devils 22.
Next fixtures for Cardiff Devils:
Saturday 26: Bili Tygri Liberec v Cardiff Devils (CHL, 3.30pm UK TIme)
Thursday 31: Cardiff Devils v Bili Tygri Liberec (CHL, 7pm UK time).
September
Sunday 3: Cardiff Devils v HC Davos (CHL, 6pm UK time)
Saturday 9 Devils v MK Lightning (Challenge Cup)
Sunday 10 Guildford Flames v Devils (CC)
Saturday 16 Sheffield Steelers v Devils (Elite League)
Sunday 17 Devils v Nottingham Panthers (EL)
Saturday 23 MK Lightning v Devils (CC)
Sunday 24 Devils v Manchester Storm (EL)
Wednesday 27 Dundee Stars v Devils (EL)
Saturday 30 Devils v Braehead Clan (EL)
October
Tuesday 3: Cardiff Devils v Vaxjo Lakers (CHL, 7pm UK time, 8pm CEST)
Saturday 7 Devils v Belfast Giants (EL)
Wednesday 11: Vaxjo Lakers v Cardiff Devils (CHL, 7pm CEST)
Ticket information is available via 0800 0842 666 or on the club’s official website at cardiffdevils.com