Devils In Seventh Heaven Over Powerplay Success

Cardiff Devils have gone powerplay crazy against Braehead Clan this season.

Specials teams have scored seven PP goals against Clan in the last three fixtures between the teams.

Devils currently have the best powerplay in Elite League, scoring at almost 30 per cent.

“We talked about Cardiff’s powerplay before the game,” said Clan netminder and man of the match Ryan Nie. “They are running at almost 30 per cent and that’s impressive.

“Our aim was to stay out of the penalty box, but they had chances and scored one.

“We produced a pretty good performance, but have scored only one goal in our last two fixtures and have to find a way to change that.”

Devils won 5-0 against Clan in the first clash between them this season and there were no power plays converted scored, while Cardiff have since won 3-2 (2 PP goals), 6-4 (4 PP) and 1-0 (1 PP).

Brendan Brooks, Braehead’s player/assistant coach, hit the underside of Devils’ bar with a shot, but the home team could not find a way past Devils’ Ben Bowns.

“Credit to Bownsy, he is a good goalie and stayed in front of the puck,” said Brooks. “We should have come away with a point at least, but now we have to find a way to play like that against teams not as good as Cardiff.

“We have to bring the same intensity against some of the other teams.”

Cardiff’s Bryce Reddick hit a post and coach Andrew Lord requested a review, but was unsuccessful.

The winner was scored by Matt Pope in the last 10 minutes of the match with an assist to Joey Martin.

Devils are three points clear at the top of Elite League with a game in hand on closest rivals Belfast Giants.

Cardiff are in action twice this weekend against the Coventry Blaze at home on Saturday (7pm) and away on Sunday (5.15pm).

To book Devils tickets online CLICK HERE or call 0800 0842 666.

ELITE LEAGUE STANDINGS

Rk Team GP W L OTL SOL WPCT Pts
1 Cardiff Devils 36 27 7 1 1 .778 56
2 Belfast Giants 37 26 10 1 0 .716 53
3 Sheffield Steelers 35 21 11 2 1 .643 45
4 Fife Flyers 32 22 9 0 1 .703 45
5 Manchester Storm 36 20 11 3 2 .625 45
6 Nottingham Panthers 34 20 11 2 1 .632 43
7 Guildford Flames 36 18 12 4 2 .583 42
8 Braehead Clan 38 15 19 3 1 .447 34
9 Coventry Blaze 37 14 19 3 1 .432 32
10 Dundee Stars 35 14 18 2 1 .443 31
11 Milton Keynes Lightning 36 13 22 1 0 .375 27
12 Edinburgh Capitals 36 4 31 0 1 .125 9

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