Bill Tygri Liberec 5, Cardiff Devils 2

Cardiff Devils gave Czech team Bili Tygri Liberec a tough time in the Champions Hockey League.

Elite League champions Devils led by two goals after the first period, but were undone by three goals in a spell of less than five minutes during the second.

Captain Jake Morissette and his team fought on and pulled met minder Ben Bowns in the closing stages as they fought to score a third goal.

Liberec countered with two late goals, but Devils should be applauded for going for a goal to tie things up.

Andrew Lord iced for Devils in their second Champions League match, having been on the bench against HC Davos in Switzerland. Luke Piggott was running the bench

Home team Liberec were without Dominic Lakatos, who was suspended for a fight in their opening group game against Vaxjo.

Devils went on after the first period 2-0 ahead and started the second with most of a four-minute powerplay still to go.

Liberec had pressed hard and outshot Devils 12-8, but the visitors protected goalie Ben Bowns and came through the first 20 minute unscathed.

Joey Martin scored for Devils after only four minutes 50 seconds, firing home a shorthanded unassisted goal.

The second was a blueline blast from Drew Paris on the powerplay with an assist going to Patrick Asselin (17-50).

Liberec killed that PP and hit back at Devils with pace and power.

Lukas Krenzelok (29-09) and Martin Bakos (30-44) scored to make it 2-2 and Liberec added a third to go in after the second period 3-2 ahead.

Tomas Mojzis was on target after 33-48, reflecting a 17-3 shot advantage for the home team during the second, making it 29-11 overall.

Those three goals in four and a half minutes were costly for Devils, who were opened up by the fluid movement of Liberec.

Cardiff were excellent in that first period, but their performance dipped in the second against a home team maintained steady pressure.

Lord’s men went into the final period only one goal behind and the Red Army fans who made made their way to the Czech Republic were in loud voice, chanting ‘Let’s Go Devils’ time and again.

Devils had a powerplay in the closing minutes when Liberec were penalised for cross-checking and they went in search go a goal to tie the game.

Goalie Bowns was pulled to give Devils an extra skater and the home team struck with their fourth goal.

Cardiff kept pressing, but the home team scored again on 58-44 to complete a 5-2 win.

That is harsh on a Devils team who fought hard throughout and can look back with pride on their performance.

Next two CHL fixtures:

August

Thursday 31: Cardiff Devils v Bili Tygri Liberec (CHL, 7pm UK time)

September

Sunday 3: Cardiff Devils v HC Davos (CHL, 6pm UK time)

Ticket information is available via 0800 0842 666 or on the club’s official website at cardiffdevils.com