Cardiff Fire 7, Basingstoke Buffalo 2
Man of the match Sam Smith, the former Devils winger, led Cardiff Fire to a 10th successive ice hockey win this season.
Fire still have a 100 per cent record and their next match is a cup match against London Racers at Ice Arena Wales on Saturday, January 21.
After a two-week Christmas break Fire were back in action against the 2015-16 National Ice Hockey League Division Two runners-up Basingstoke Buffalo.
Fire started brightly and missed two opportunities to go ahead during the first shift, but then Basingstoke took the lead after 11 minutes.
The home team looked rusty and had to dig deep as Basingstoke gained control. Then three Fire goals in the last four minutes before the first period break transformed the match.
Smith scored his first goal for Fire, driving the back post following a nice play by Tamas Elias and Jackson Price.
Only 30 seconds later Smith scored his second, picking up a pass from Dan Self and skating the length of the ice before firing a rocket of a shot into the net.
Fire picked up a two minute penalty just before the period ended, but still added a third goal when Elias netted a shorthanded effort.
Slovakian forwards Robert Sedlak made it 4-1 after 34 minutes and then, early in the third, Ellis Sheppard collected a pass from Alan Armour and skated from his own blue line before shooting home.
Basingstoke scored a second goal themselves, but this was Fire’s night and they completed a comprehensive victory thanks to goals from Jordan Powell and a solo effort by David Sadler.
Fire, who had Luke Takel in goal, had Sam Bryant thrown out on a game penalty for misconduct on 60 minutes, just as the match ended.
Next up for Fire is a cup clash with London Racers at home on Saturday, January 21 followed by a road game against a resurgent Swindon Wildcats team the following evening.
Fire scorers v Basingstoke: Sam Smith 2+0, Robert Sedlak 1+1, Tamas Elias 1+1, Jordan Powell 1+0, David Sadler 1+0, Elis Sheppard 1+0, Alan Armour 0+1, Dan Self 0+1, Sam Bryant 0+1, Jackson Price 0+1.
Man of the match: Sam Smith.