Joey Martin became an Elite League centurion when he scored at Guildford Flames, but his achievement was overshadowed by a furore over Cardiff Devils man of the match.

Canadian Martin scored both Devils goals during their 3-2 overtime defeat at the Spectrum in Surrey to take his EIHL goals tally to 100, but all the talk among Red Army fans on the way back to Wales was about Toms Rutkis being named Cardiff’s star of the game.

The problem was that Rutkis spent the entire 60-plus minutes on the bench and did not go onto the ice for even one shift.

Conspiracy theorists, of course, quickly decided it was a deliberate act, but that is nonsense.

It was a genuine case of human error – both the Flames organisation and announcer Kim Robson have apologised and it is ridiculous to suggest it was in any way some sort of ploy.

The Eagle Radio DJ, and not a Flames official, was in charge of announcing the award. An error was made. A silly error, yes, but not in any way planned.

Devils fans had started chanting ‘You Don’t Know What You’re Doing’ when Flames presented the home man of the match award to John Dunbar first.

That confused Devils players because the majority of ice hockey clubs announce the away star player before the home award.

Three young children were proudly presenting the awards and they were left waiting when a picture of Latvian forward Rutkis appeared on the main screen above the ice and he was announced as man of the match by DJ Robson.

Devils players on the ice were bewildered and stopped. The children weren’t sure what to do and Welshman Matthew Myers took charge, skating over to have his photograph taken with them.

He wasn’t man of the match, but took the sting out of the situation for three young ice hockey fans.

Robson took to social media after the game to apologise, explaining that a handwritten note with the man of the match player’s number written on it was handed to her.

It was misread as 37 (Rutkis), when it should have been 27 (Joey Haddad).

Robson told technicians it was Rutkis, they put his picture on screen and his name was announced.

Andrew Hotham had a discussion with off-ice officials asking what the heck was going on, while Devils left the ice bemused.

Rutkis was even named man of the match on the official game sheet, although that was changed to Haddad later.

That couldn’t happen at Ice Arena Wales where managing director Todd Kelman makes the announcements and would have spotted the mistake immediately.

Home club Flames contacted the Devils club to say sorry and said in a statement: “Flames apologise to all for the man of the match error.

“A scribbled note with #27 was read out as #37 while searching the name on the roster list. This was not intentional. The organisation extends sincerest apologies to Cardiff Devils and any supporters who took offence.”

The pity was that the row, which incensed many Devils fans who made the trip, meant Guildford’s win, ending a 13-match winning streak by the visitors, and Martin’s century were pushed into the background.

That shouldn’t have happened because it was a hard-fought, exciting match which Devils could easily have won.

But they earned one point for being level at the end of regulation time and have taken 27 points from the last 28 on offer.

Dunbar’s goal 47 seconds into 3 on 3 overtime wowed home fans in the 2,000-plus capacity attendance.

Devils scored two powerplay goals, taking the lead, falling 2-1 behind and then forcing overtime.

They should have won after creating a number of outstanding chances. Jake Morissette brought a big save from goalie Chris Carrozzi with the score at 1-1 and when the puck ran free captain ‘Mo’ had a second shot, but the Flames stopper reacted like lightning to save again.

“That was a pretty exciting game against an extremely good hockey team,” said Flames head coach Paul Dixon.

“They are not in the league lead by accident. They move the puck around probably as well as or better than anyone, created some great scoring chances and easily have won instead of us.

“Chris (Carrozzi) had a terrific game and made some unbelievable stops to keep us right there. We were able to close the deal on a couple of our better chances, including John’s beauty in overtime, to grab a win.”

Ticket info for the Cup quarter-final second leg match against Guildford at Ice Arena Wales on Wednesday, January 10 (7.30pm) is available.

Seats for this game are included in season ticket packages. There is no need to do anything except show up with your season ticket.

Tickets for the cup tie and Sunday’s Elite League home fixture against Nottingham Panthers can be purchased ONLINE HERE or be telephone on 0800 0842 666.

Match stats:

Scorers, Flames: Brett Ferguson 1+0, Ian Watters 1+1, John Dunbar 1+0, Ben Davies 0+1, Geoff Walker 0+1, Jsse Craige 0+2, Kruise Reddick 0+1.

Devils: Joey Martin 2+0, Gleason Fournier 0+2, Matt Pope 0+1, Layne Ulmer 0+1.

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

Shots on goal: Flames 5+13+11+1=30; Devils 8+9+7+0=24.

Penalties in minutes: Flames 4+2+4=10, Devils 0+2+2=4.

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

Attendance: 2,017

Referees: Jan Schmejkal and Matt Thompson.

Stars of the game: Flames, John Dunbar; Devils, Joey Haddad.