The Devils booked their spot in the next round of the Challenge Cup after scoring late to tie the game before winning in a shootout.
The Devils booked their spot in the next round of the Challenge Cup after scoring late to tie the game before winning in a shootout.
The Blaze opened the scoring at 14:35 when Evan Bloodoff froze the Devils defence before roofing the puck past Ben Bowns. On the ensuing faceoff, Andrew Johnston somehow sprung free and made it 2-0, a mere 9 seconds after their first goal.
The Blaze powerplay made it 3-0 when Matt Pohlkamp found the back of the net at 24:49 and at this point it was looking like there was no way back for the Devils. A powerplay opportunity gave them some life and Joey Haddad one-timer blast finally got the Devils on the scoreboard at 27:33.
A Sean McMonagle shot was saved by Blaze netminder Jamie Phillips but the puck was left sitting behind him for a tap in goal by Mike McNamee to pull the Devils within 1 with 1:39 left in the second period.
At 48:15 Matias Sointu found Bryce Reddick who faked a shot to make the Blaze defender drop to block it before taking a step around him and firing the puck past Phillips to tie the game at 3-3.
A late Blaze goal looked to be the game-winner when Luke Ferrara scored at 56:38 but with 1:37 to play in the third period Stephen Dixon converted on a Sointu pass to tie the game up and send it into overtime.
The Devils had a couple of great chances in extra time, but neither team could convert so it went to penalty shots. In the opening five rounds of shots, Sean McMonagle and Blair Riley scored for the Devils while Bloodoff were successful for the Blaze.
It needed three more shots each before the Devils won it with Sean McMonagle getting the game winner before Ben Bowns stopped Charles Corcoran to secure the win for the Devils.
Photo Credit: Helen Brabon & Dave Williams
