Devils win despite late Stars fightback

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils survived a late Dundee comeback to beat the Stars 5-4 at a sold-out Vindico Arena.

Things started well for the visiting Stars, but did not end well to see them two down after the opening 20 minutes. James Phelan put Dundee ahead with 3:14 gone with a tip on an Anthony Rinaldi shot in front of Tyler Wall. Cardiff levelled at 8:51 with an excellent goal from Josh Waller who stole the puck on his own blue line to race through on Kevin Carr and pulled a move to beat the Stars goalie. Justin Crandall made it 2-1 on the powerplay 30 seconds later, before Cole Sanford put the home side 3-1 ahead at 9:50 - having conceded three goals in 59 seconds, Marc LeFebvre called a timeout. 

The only goal of period two was just past the midway point - Brandon Alderson made it 4-1 on the powerplay with 30:28 played to put the Devils into a comfortable three-goal lead.

River Rymsha's goal with 8:27 to play looked to have wrapped up the win for the Devils, the there was to be a Stars late show that made things interesting. Drydn Dow grabbed one back while the Devils sat a faceoff violation minor, with Kyle Pouncing bringing them back two behind at 57:03. Spencer Naas then suddenly made it a one-goal game with 2:12 to play, but despite LeFebvre pulling Carr late they couldn't find an equaliser. 

The final buzzer was marred by ugly scenes after Sean Allen appeared to slash a Devils player as he headed to the bench, causing several scuffles to break out on the ice and in the benches. But it was the Devils who took the win ahead of heading into Fife on Sunday - Dundee will host leaders Sheffield.