Cardiff Devils gave notice they are aiming to retain their Elite League title.

Reigning champions Devils started with an intensity which rocked rivals Sheffield Steelers from the first shift.

Sean Bentivoglio fired Devils ahead after less than a minute and head coach Andrew Lord said: “Our start was unbelievable. That first shift!

“Let’s do that every game – it was a thing of beauty. Grind the opposition down, puck possession and kept it simple. The guys were rewarded with a goal after 55 seconds.

“Our preparation all week was solid, guys buying into the process day-to-day. Any championship team must have good preparation and we had a positive week.”

More than 3,000 spectators were at Ice Arena Wales and the atmosphere was remarkable during that first period when Cardiff had the edge.

They kept Steelers under pressure in all areas in a big-hitting display which knocked the Yorkshire club out of their stride.

There is a closeness about this Devils squad. They stick together on and off the ice.

All three injured players, Patrick Asselin, Mark Richardson and Joey Haddad, were at the arena. Asselin was on the balcony, Haddad mixed with supporters and Richardson was on the bench alongside Jamie Elson.

Justin Faryna, who has also been out, returned to the team and Lord revealed after the game that the other three are close to being available again.

Steelers were without suspended Colton Fretter and Joonas Ronnberg, who has returned to his native Finland.

These teams have clashed three times this season and they had each won once going into this League fixture.

Devils had the upper hand in the first period and outshot their visitors 10-3 in the second. Cardiff twice hit the pipework with one Joey Martin effort leaving goalie Ervins Mustukovs helpless before rebounding to safety.

There were moments when Devils threatened to take completed command, but Sheffield’s inevitable bid to recover came when Mustukovs was pulled in favour of the extra skater and Steelers made a bold bid for glory with Aarssen firing home with 31 seconds left.

Devils stayed calm, kept their composure and saw out the match to earn a victory which shows they will again be big contenders for honours.

They lost 4-0 on their last visit to Sheffield, but took full revenge in what was an often one-sided contest in Cardiff Bay.

Martin, Matt Pope and Bentivoglio teamed up on the top line for Devils, whole Lord, Paul Crowder and captain Jake Morissette linked up.

Devils again operated with five D-men rotating partners to give everybody a rest, allowing the team to keep settled forward lines.

The home match against Steelers was Cardiff’s only fixture of this weekend, while their next fixture is against Belfast Giants away next Saturday followed by Edinburgh Capitals at Ice Arena Wales the following evening (6pm).

 

Match stats: 

Scorers, Devils: Sean Bentivoglio 1+1, Andrew Hotham 1+1, Matt Pope 1+1, Drew Paris 0+1, Layne Ulmer 0+1, Joey Martin 0+1.

Steelers: Andreas Valdix 1+0, Scott Aarssen 1+0, John Armstrong 0+1, Robert Dowd 0+1, Levi Nelson 0+1, Zack Fitzgerald 0+1.

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

Shots on goal: Devils (on Mustukovs) 12+10+5=27; Steelers (on Bowns) 12+3+9=24.

Penalties in minutes: Devils 0+2+6=8; Steelers 6+2+0=8.

Powerplays: Devils 2/4; Steelers 0/2.

Referee: Stefan Hogarth.

Attendance: 3,095.

Stars of the game: Devils, Andrew Hotham; Steelers, Zack Fitzgerald.