Devils Move into First place with win over Steelers

Friday Night the Devils leapfrogged the Sheffield Steelers to take over top spot in the League standings after a clinical 7-3 win.

The Devils opened up a two-goal lead in the first 6 minutes of the game with goals from Stephen Dixon (2:42) and Joey Haddad (5:46) before the Steelers pulled one back through Davey Phillips at 12:06.

Below: Celebrating Joey Haddad's first period goal

Blair Riley restored the two-goal lead for the home side at 14:53, but 11 seconds later the Steelers’ Anthony Deluca scored to make it 3-2. Masi Marjamaki’s second effort saw him somehow tuck the puck into the net at 19:23 to give the Devils a 4-2 lead after the first period of action.

Below: Riley & Marjamaki celebrate Masi's late first period goal

The lone goal in the middle person came on a breakaway for captain Joey Martin (24:03) who slipped the puck under Tomas Duba to give the Devils a commanding 5-2 lead, which they held onto after 40 minutes of play.

Below: Joey Martin gets tripped just as he scores past Tomas Duba

Evan Mosey scored his 4^th goal in only his 8^th game back from injury to extend the Devils lead to 6-2 at 45:24 then Blair Riley scored his second of the game on a breakaway at 49:00 to put the Devils up 7-2. At 55:13, Lucas Sandstrom pulled one back for the Steelers, but it was too little, too late and the game finished 7-3 in favour of Cardiff.

Below: Blair Riley salutes the fans after his 2nd goal

The win puts the Devils a point ahead of Sheffield in the League standings with 3 games in hand. These same two teams will face each other on Sunday at The Viola Arena in Cardiff with the first piece of silverware this season up for grabs in the Challenge Cup Final.

Photo Credit: Helen Brabon, Dave Williams, Rebecca Brain