Devils extend Flames' loss streak to three

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils picked up an important home victory over Guildford Flames on New Year's Eve, putting themselves back well into contention for the Viaplay Elite League title race, while simultaneously handing Guildford Flames their third straight loss.

It needed just 1:50 to open the scoring at a sold-out Ice arena Wales. Good work from Brodie Reid in the corner fed Marcus Crawford, and his pass to Justin Crandall was deflected into the net by the Devils' forward when he may have been looking to work the puck across the crease. Guildford hit back through Daniel Tedesco who burried a rebound from Bradley Lalonde's shot at 11:35, but the Devils were to lead at the first break through Cole Sanford at 13:34.

Stefan Fournier marked his debut with a goal when he deflected Sanford's shot into the roof of the net at 29:18 for the home side's second powerplay goal of the evening. 

Guildford got themselves back to within one with Tedesco cashing in on another rebound for his 17th league goal of the season with 9:23 to play, but the Flames were unable to find another goal to tie it. Crawford scored into the empty net with 62 seconds remaining to ensure the Devils took the points.

Combined with results elsewhere, the Flames were knocked off top spot in the standings with this defeat.