Paul Thompson, Sheffield Steelers’ proud and hugely experienced head coach, has admitted:”Our hockey club was humiliated tonight.”
Devils were dumped out of the Challenge Cup by a rampant Cardiff Devils, who hauled back a four-goal deficit against Steelers to qualify for the final.
Three goals in less than two minutes early in the final period left Sheffield down and out.
Devils now play Belfast Giants in the final at Ice Arena Wales on Sunday, March 4 (4pm).
Thompson was visibly shaken by what he had watched during Devils barnstorming recovery, saying: “Our hockey club was humiliated. I am embarrassed by our performance.
Paul Sullivan provided the vimeo above and tweeted: “Humbled and honoured for the chance to work for my Club @cardiffdevils Thank you to everyone who was so incredibly generous with their comments.:
“Yes, it’s tough playing the second leg on the road, but we had put ourselves in a great position. But we capitulated in the second and third.
“Cardiff are the number one team in Elite League, but you have to battle. It’s crucial to win battles, eat pucks and block shots.
”We had three gilt-edged chances, but didn’t take them, It wasn’t good enough. I am deeply, deeply disappointed.”
Cardiff Devils manager director Todd Kelman’s view was: “Wednesday February 7, 2018 will be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the team.
“Facing a mountain to climb going into the game, the Devils needed to win by five goals to advance to the Challenge Cup Final. So they went out and won by six.
“An historic comeback for the Cardiff Devils, and one that will live in the memories of every person in attendance for a long, long time.”
Steelers hit back with a powerplay goal of their own through Eric Neiley at 7-26.
After that it was all Cardiff.
They took a 2-1 lead after a nice tip by Ulmer from a Matt Pope shot for the Devils’ second powerplay goal of the night after 10-21.
Pope blasted home another powerplay goal 31 seconds into the middle period that looked to be touched by Ulmer, but Pope was confirmed as the scorer put Devils 3-1 ahead.
Midway through the period Justin Faryna a fourth, which pulled Devils within a goal of Steelers aggregate.
You could feel the crowd ready to explode as the Devils pressed for the fifth goal, but it didn’t come, and the Devils trailed by a single goal on the aggregate scoreline after 40 minutes.
Three goals in less than two minutes soon after the break put fired up the atmosphere and Sheffield were reeling.
Paul Crowder (40-45), Patrick Asselin, who wrapped the puck around the net to score and put the Devils up by a goal overall, plus Bentivoglio (42-36) finished a magnificent recovery.
Devils fans celebrated wildly, while head coach Andrew Lord and his players took in what they had achieved – and then focused on this Saturday’s Elite League match against Milton Keynes Lightning away.
Lord’s men than play Nottingham Panthers in front of a sell-out Ice Arena Wales crowd. There are some tickets left, but they look certain to be sold over the next two days.