Bowns shuts out Flyers in five-goal Devils win

Photo: James Assinder

Cardiff Devils netminder Ben Bowns recorded a 30-shot shutout as his side beat the Fife Flyers 5-0 on Saturday night.

A 3-on-1 opportunity that ended with Brandon Estes firing the final shot, well saved by Shane Owen, was the closest either team came to opening the scoring in the first 10 minutes. Soon after, a back-post pass for Cole Sanford was also denied by Owen, while at the other end Josh Winquist forced a solid stop from Bowns on the same sequence.

The Devils controlled much of the early pressure and went ahead at 14:02 when Tyler Helgeson’s point shot was deflected in front by Jimmy Oligny for the only goal of the opening period.

Estes hit the crossbar shorthanded as Cardiff created the best chance during a Flyers powerplay early in the second period. Moments later, following a turnover, Ben Davies set up Cole Sanford for a one-timer at 5:48 to double the home side’s lead.

Brett Ferguson redirected an Estes shot past Owen at 32:36 to make it 3-0, while Bowns produced an excellent far-post save on Winquist to preserve the three-goal advantage heading into the second intermission.

Sanford added Cardiff’s fourth early in the third period after Fife turned the puck over with a poor pass across their own slot.

With 2:48 remaining, Evan Mosey’s shot was deflected home by Cédric Lacroix to complete the scoring, giving the Devils their fifth goal of the night and sealing Bowns’ shutout victory.