Coughler's OT winner puts Devils into final

Photo: Dean Woolley

Cardiff Devils came back from two goals down to beat Sheffield Steelers in overtime and advance to their fifth straight Playoff Final.

Sheffield were the better team in the early stages and deservedly went ahead a Rob Dowd throw to the net that deflected in off Devils' goalie Ben Bowns with just over eight minutes played.

Four minutes later, Scott Allen saw his pass go off Bowns' pads and over the line to put the Steelers two ahead with only 12:16 played. Cardiff needed a quick response and got it - Trevor Cox found the top shelf of Matt Greenfield's net 42 seconds later to bring the Devils back to within one.

Period two was a nervy, few-chance affair as both sides settled into the game without wanting to give too much up the other way.

Cardiff began getting some sustained offensive zone pressure as period three drew on. With 6:37 to play, Josh Waller drove the net and saw his shot saved but the rebound falling to Ben Davies to put home and tie the game. 

For the first time since 2018, a Playoff Finals Weekend game was to be decided in overtime. Daniel Ciampini was given a hooking minor 18 seconds into overtime as the Devils broke 1-on-0, and while the Steelers' penalty kill restricted the Devils to the outside for most of the two minutes, it was eventually Jake Coughler who converted a Brodie Reid pass to win it for the Devils.