Man of the match Jake Morissette led Cardiff Devils to a third successive Elite League victory in front of 3,000-plus spectators at the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay.

Visitors Dundee Stars paid their third and final League visit to Cardiff this season and produced a spirited and convincing performance.

They fought all the way and Devils were only able to relax after Joey Martin scored an empty net goal with nine seconds left.

Captain Morissette was outstanding, scoring a goal and an assist, while defenceman Drew Sheistel also caught the eye.

The hugely gifted Charles Linglet made life difficult for Stars on a night when both teams gave everything they had.

Cardiff kept up the pressure at the top of Elite League as they chase down leaders Belfast.

The hosts had an excellent opening 10 minutes to thank for their lead after the first period. Joey Haddad and Morissette scored and assisted on each other’s goals at 3-12 and 10-04 respectively. 

Matt Pope made it three on 21-28 and it looked a long way back for Stars.

Dundee, though, produced a pulsating comeback with Charles Corcoran and Francois Bouchard scoring.

Bouchard’s goal came with four minutes 34 to play and the visitors from Scotland were fired up for a big finish.

They pulled Swedish goaltender Pontus Sjogren for an extra skater and Devils punished Stars when Martin scored after Sean Bentivoglio’s shot was blocked.

Match stats:

Scorers, Devils: Joey Haddad 1+1, Jake Morissette 1+1, Matt Pope 1+0, Joey Martin 1+0, Gleason Fournier 0+1, Bryce Reddick 0+1, Sean Bentivoglio 0+2, Layne Ulmer 0+1, Evan Mosey 0+1.

Stars: Charles Corcoran 1+1, Francois Bouchard 1+1, Matt Bissonette 0+1, Shawn Boutin 0+1.

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

Shots on goal: Devils (on Sjogren) 12+15+11=38; Stars (on Bowns) 11+9+4=24

Penalties in minutes: Devils 0+4+2=6; Stars 2+8+2=12.

Special teams: Devils PK 2/2, PP 0/7; Stars PK 7/7, PP 0/2.

Stars of the game: Devils, Jake Morissette; Stars, Francois Bouchard.

Referees: Tom Pering and Andrew Miller.

Attendance: 3,026.

Remaining Devils fixtures in 2018:

December

Sunday 23 v Guildford Flames (away, 6pm)

Boxing Day, Wednesday 26 v Coventry Blaze (away, 6pm)

Thursday 27 v Coventry Blaze (home, 7pm)

Sunday 30 v Guildford Flames (away, 6pm)

TICKETS for Devils home games available ONLINE HERE or by calling 0800 0842 666 or in person at the reception desk at VIOLA ARENA right up until face-off.

Other Saturday results

Fife Flyers 2, Glasgow Clan 3

The Scottish derby game between Fife and Glasgow saw a victory for the Clan by the odd goal in five.

Joe Basaraba put Fife ahead, but they found themselves two behind in under 10 minutes.

Rasmus Bjerrum, on the powerplay, Scott Tanski and Bjerrum again to make it 3-1.

Basaraba netted a second for Fife, but Clan held on.

Belfast 4, Manchester Storm 0

Patrick Dwyer, Dustin Johner, David Rutherford  and Josh Roach scored for Giants.

Nottingham Panthers 6, MK Lightning 2

Brett Perlini, Mark Hurtubise, Robert Farmer, Luke Pither fired Panthers 4-1 ahead after they had conceded the first goal.

Farmer and Dylan Richard completed the game scoring.

Sheffield Steelers 3, Guildford Flames 2

Josh Pitt scoped the winner with 24 seconds left in the final period.

Jesse Craige and Brett Ferguson gave Flames a 2-0 lead, while Stefan Della Rovere and Josh McFadden, after 52-57, tied the game up.

Then Evan McGrath’s perfect pass set up Pitt to slot home the winner with 24 seconds left.