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Former Cardiff Devils forward Matt Towe has proved a real pain to his former club this season. Sheffield-born Towe, who spent three seasons with Cardiff, has scored four goals for Belfast in 2017-18 and three of those have been against Devils. He was man of the match, returning a goal and two assists, during Belfast’s stunning and emotional 6-3 Challenge Cup final victory at Ice Arena Wales. Devils had declared themselves ‘Giant Slayers’ in a pre-match video on the two teams. They were the holders and, playing on home ice, favourites to lift the trophy again. But this was a night when Giants stood tall. While Towe and his Giants celebrated on the ice, cheers on by fans who had followed them to Cardiff Bay, Devils coach Andrew Lord stood by the home team bench.  It was clear he was hurting. Lord stood silently, watching Giants players and fans whooping and swooping with joy. Lord’s men were on course top win all four trophies available to them, but they lost their way in the cup final. Devils started well, took the game to Giants and led 1-0. But the boys from Northern Ireland competed physically and mentally, taking charge and rattling Cardiff. The usual cool composure, a trademark of Devils’ experienced roster, was missing. There were too many turnovers. Lord shortened his bench, sitting players who had helped Devils take the lead twice and putting his faith in his top end guys. He gambled, maybe too early, and lost. The goal which tipped the final firmly in Belfast’s favour was scored by former NHL forward Jonathan Ferland. His shot was wide on the left was from a near impossible angle. It was an eye of the needle finish with the puck flying over the shoulder of goalie Ben Bowns and just under the bar. The goal came after 35 minutes, 34 seconds and put Giants ahead for the first time.  That proved decisive, Giants won 6-3 and Giants coach Adam Keefe said: “It feels amazing to win the trophy. “But I’m actually happier for the players and the city of Belfast as well as the Teal Army, who have stuck with us in the last four years. “We’re a good hockey team, but we hadn’t win anything. Cardiff have been an annoying team in the last couple of years because they play so well. “We had to beat them at their own game and score tough goals. We did that and as a group, we’ll enjoy this then try to refocus for next week. “I wanted the guys to become road warriors when we had that long spell travelling earlier in the year and they did that again here.” Cardiff’s chase for four trophies is over, but they still have a triple crown to go for. They are top of Elite League and three wins from their remaining eight fixtures would probably clinch the title. Match stats: Scorers, Belfast Giants: Jonathan Ferland 2+0, Brandon Benedict 1+0, Matt Towe 1+2, Darcy Murphy 1+0, David Rutherford 1+0, Steve Saviano 0+4, John Kurtz 0+1, Kevin Raine 0+1. Cardiff Devils: Layne Ulmer 1+0, Gleason Fournier 1+1, Jake Morissette 1+0, Joey Haddad 0+1, Sean Bentivoglio 0+1, Joey Martin 0+1. Period scores (Giants first): 0-1; 3-1 (3-2), 3-1 (6-3). Penalties in minutes: Giants 4+6+2=12; Devils 4+4+2=10. Powerplays: Giants 0/4; Devils 0/2. Shots on goal: Giants (on Bowns) 9+10+5=24; Devils (on Whistle) 10+12+8=30. Referees: Mike Hicks and Pavel Haleb. Attendance: 3,095. Stars of the game: Giants, Matt Towe; Devils, Jake Morissette. Cardiff Devils remaining Elite League fixtures: March Saturday 10 v Edinburgh Capitals (home, 7pm) Sunday 11 v Sheffield Steelers (away, 6pm) Wednesday 14: v Sheffield Steelers (home, 7.30pm) Friday 16 v Belfast Giants (away, 7pm) Sunday 18 v Sheffield Steelers (home, 6pm) Wednesday 21: v Manchester Storm (home, 7.30pm) Saturday 24: v Belfast Giants (home, 7pm) Sunday 25: v Milton Keynes Lightning (home, 6pm) Elite League Standings
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