Cardiff Devils scored 4 2nd period goals for most of their damage on the way to a 7-5 win over the Flames in the 3rd/4th playoff final.
Sam Duggan kicked off the scoring for Devils at 11:22 when he beat Adam Long making his first start of the campaign, but Nick Ouellet in the 16th minute had the teams on even terms by opening break.
Cole Sanford and Cole Ully scored 25 seconds apart early in the middle frame. Ryan Tait got one back at 25:09, but Tyler Busch and Cody Donaghey strikes just before and after the midway mark put Devils in command at 5-2 through 40 minutes.
Riley Brandt extended their advantage at 44:46. A Lewis hook reply a little less than 3 minutes later pulled Flames within 3 and Ouellet’s 2nd of the evening at 49:33 made it a 2 goal affair. A Joey Martin strike, however, at 55:28 re-stored the 3 goal spread before a final Turner Ripplinger answer a little over 2 minutes from close completed the afternoon.
Adam Long had 30 saves on 37 shots against Tyker Wall who went 29 for 34.
“It’s been a long season with a lot of ups and downs, from a very tough start to making a Cup final and the playoff finals," said Paul Dixon.
“We have a lot to be proud of from this season but also a lot of work to do in order to get us to that next level where we really want to be.”
“We have been close over the last few years, but no trophy in hand yet and that is where our focus will be from tomorrow as we start planning for a new season.”
