Ben Bowns became the first goaltender to shut-out Sheffield Steelers on their home ice this season and Cardiff Devils eased into a 10 points lead at the top.

Joey Martin, Matt Pope and Andrew Hotham fired Devils to a 3-0 victory in front of more than 5,700 spectators.

Steelers had to win if they were to keep their fading hopes of launching an Elite League title challenge, but they were three goals down after 16 minutes 30 seconds and were never able to recover.

The home team fought back with spirit and character, twice forcing the puck into Cardiff’s net. But on each occasion it was clear the Steelers players – Levi Nelson and Mathieu Roy – missed their shot and kicked the puck over the line.

Devils stand well clear at the top with 10 fixtures left going into their clash with second-placed Manchester Storm away on Saturday.

Captain Jake Morissette and his team will then return to Ice Arena Wales on Sunday to play third in the table Belfast Giants in Cardiff Bay (6pm).

Martin fired Devils ahead after only 30 seconds firing past goalie Ervins Mustukovs after Mark Richardson and Matt Pope opened up the home team.

Cardiff’s second came after eight minutes 22 seconds when Joey Haddad collected a loose pass from Steelers before skating around the back of Mustukovs’ goal to set up Pope in the slot.

Hotham added a third after 16-30 and Devils saw out the game thanks to a professional, clinical team performance.

Sheffield hit back in the second period and put increasing pressure on the Devils goal, but could not find a way past Cardiff netminder Bowns despite outshooting their opponents 11-5 over the 20 minutes.

The home team became more and more frenzied in their attacks, but Devils stayed cool and composed, seeing out the game to earn the points.

Steelers had won 10 of their previous 11 home fixtures, but were shut-out on their own ice for the first time this season.

Match stats:

Scorers, Devils: Joey Martin 1+0, Matt Pope 1+1, Andrew Hotham 1+0, Mark Richardson 0+2, Joey Haddad 0+1, Bryce Reddick 0+1, Patrick Asselin 0+1.

Period scores (Steelers first): 0-3; 0-0 (0-3); 0-0 (0-3).

Shots on goal: Steelers (on Bowns) 6+11+9=26; Devils (on Mustukovs) 7+5+8=20.

Powerplays: Steelers 0/3; Devils 0/1.

Penalties in minutes: Steelers 0+5+2=7; Devils 0+9+2=11.Attendance: 5,702

Referees: Tom Pering and Mike Hicks.

Attendance: 5,702.

Stars of the game: Steelers, Andreas Jamtin; Devils, Mark Richardson.

ELITE LEAGUE STANDINGS

Regular 2017/18

Rk	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	SOL	WPCT	Pts
1	Cardiff Devils	46	35	8	1	2	.793	73
2	Manchester Storm	46	29	12	3	2	.685	63
3	Belfast Giants	46	29	15	2	0	.652	60
4	Fife Flyers	42	28	12	1	1	.690	58
5	Sheffield Steelers	45	27	15	2	1	.633	57
6	Guildford Flames	45	23	15	4	3	.589	53
7	Nottingham Panthers	42	24	15	2	1	.607	51
8	Braehead Clan	47	19	23	4	1	.457	43
9	Coventry Blaze	46	17	24	4	1	.424	39
10	Dundee Stars	44	17	23	3	1	.432	38
11	Milton Keynes Lightning	46	17	28	1	0	.380	35
12	Edinburgh Capitals	45	5	39	0	1	.122	11