Happy times. Devils on their way to victory against Glasgow Clan. Pic: David Williams.

Devils Back On Course For Elite League Glory

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Cardiff Devils 2, Glasgow Clan 0

Goalie Ben Bowns kept a third successive home shutout for Cardiff Devils and kept his team on course for an Elite League triple crown.

Bowns stopped all 25 shots he faced, his fourth shutout in the last six games.

Devils have won the Elite League title for two successive seasons and are now top again with five matches left.

It’s going to be a tough run-in, but Devils have the experience from the last two seasons to ensure they stay calm.

Layne Ulmer missed both matches this weekend after his wife gave birth to their second child, but Devils still have a full complement of import players.

The experienced Ulmer will surely return to the team in their remaining fixtures.

It took until just short of the halfway mark for the first goal and it was Sean Bentivoglio who finished off a face-off play for the Devils to break the deadlock. Mike Hedden’s pass found the forward and he slotted past goalie Joel Rumpel.

The hosts doubled their lead after 47-07 on a powerplay when Charles Linglet’s pass was perfect for Stephen Dixon to poke home from close range.

Devils penalty kill had to be on form in the final 12 minutes when they found themselves in penalty trouble. Clan had a 5v3 advantage for more than a minute, but the Devils blocked shot after shot and when the Clan got through, Bowns was there to shut the door. 

Clan did pull Rumpel towards the end to try to force a breakthrough, but they couldn’t deny Bowns another shutout in his own rink, and the Devils go back to two points clear at the top of the league.

Match stats:

Scorers, Devils: Sean Bentivoglio 1+0, Stephen Dixon 1+0, Mike Hedden 0+1, Gleason Fournier 0+1, Charles Linglet 0+1, Mark Richardson 0+1.

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

Shots on goal: Devils (on Joel Rumpel) 9+13+8=30; Clan (on Bowns) 9+8+8=25.

Penalties in minutes: Devils 0+2+6=8; Clan 0+2+14=16.

Special teams: Devils PK 3/3, PP 1/5; Clan PK 4/5, PP 0/3.

Men of the match: Devils, Ben Bowns; Clan, Travis Erhardt.

Referees: Stefan Hogarth and Matt Thompson.

Attendance: 3,100.

Devils tickets: CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or CALL 0800 0842 666 to book

Devils delight. Mark Richardson and Stephen Dixon celebrate (credit David Williams)

Cardiff Devils

Remaining 5 Elite League fixtures

two home, three away

March

Wednesday 20 v Glasgow Clan (away, 7.30pm)

Saturday 23 v Manchester Storm (home, 7pm)

Sunday 24 v Dundee Stars (away, 5pm)

Saturday 30 v MK Lightning (home, 7pm)

Sunday 31 v Coventry Blaze (away, 5.15pm)

Belfast Giants

5 fixtures left, three home, two away

March 

Friday 22 v Manchester Storm (away, 7pm)

Sunday 24 v Sheffield Steelers (home, 4pm)

Wednesday 27 v Coventry Blaze (away, 7.30pm)

Friday 29 v Fife Flyers (home, 7pm)

Saturday 30 v Dundee Stars (home, 7pm)

ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2018/19

TEAM GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GA PIM STREAK
Cardiff Devils 55 40 9 6 86 .782 216 137 639 1-0
Belfast Giants 55 41 12 2 84 .764 211 135 681 4-0
Nottingham Panthers 57 28 18 11 67 .588 176 175 932 0-1
Glasgow Clan 56 30 21 5 65 .580 194 173 700 0-4
Guildford Flames 55 28 22 5 61 .555 174 165 656 1-0
Sheffield Steelers 57 28 25 4 60 .526 173 196 866 1-0
Fife Flyers 55 27 22 6 60 .545 176 186 786 0-1
Manchester Storm 56 25 26 5 55 .491 168 195 1136 1-0
Coventry Blaze 55 24 24 7 55 .500 192 205 699 1-0
Dundee Stars 56 21 23 12 54 .482 156 187 552 1-0
Milton Keynes Lightning 55 14 37 4 32 .291 138 220 938 0-4

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