Cardiff Devils extended their remarkable winning streak to six games with a hard-fought 3–1 victory over Glasgow Clan in their EIHL play-off semifinal on Saturday afternoon. In a match of fine margins and considerable tension, the Devils scored twice in the space of 89 seconds midway through the second period to take a lead they would not relinquish.

A tense, goalless opening

The first period was tight and largely uneventful — no penalties, few clear chances, and both goalkeepers relatively untroubled. Christian Stoever in the Cardiff goal and Sami Aittokallio for Glasgow kept clean sheets through the opening twenty minutes. For a side with Cardiff's recent form — five wins from five coming in — the lack of early goals was perhaps the only surprise of the afternoon.

Ninety seconds that changed everything

The game's decisive passage came in a breathless 89-second spell early in the second period.

Connor Caponi gave Cardiff the lead at 24:29, converting from Ben Davies' feed to make it 1–0. Glasgow responded almost instantly — Jason Fram levelled at 25:20 with Brett Neumann picking up the assist, and suddenly the Clan had momentum and the match was alive again.

But Cardiff were back in front 38 seconds later. Brandon Estes, unmarked and composed, finished unassisted at 25:58 to restore the Devils' advantage. From lead, to level, to lead again — all within a minute and a half. It was frantic, gripping, and ultimately settled the match.

Glasgow could not find an equaliser in the third period despite pushing hard. They called their timeout at 57:42 and pulled Aittokallio for an extra attacker with under two minutes remaining — the risk that comes with desperation. It nearly cost them dearly straight away, and ultimately did: Joey Martin found the empty net at 59:34 from Josh MacDonald's pass to seal the 3–1 win and send Cardiff through.

Cardiff's form is simply extraordinary

Five wins from five before this match. Six from six now. Cardiff have been the standout side in the EIHL's end-of-season run-in, and they head into the final in the sort of form that makes them extremely difficult to face. Christian Stoever was solid throughout, and the Devils were disciplined enough to keep a completely penalty-free scoresheet against a Glasgow side that pushed them hard.

For the Clan, it is a bitterly disappointing exit. Their form had been inconsistent — wins by shootout and overtime sandwiched between defeats — and on the day, Cardiff simply had more quality in the moments that mattered.

The Devils are in the final. Their opponents will be determined by the other semifinal between Sheffield Steelers and Manchester Storm, played later the same evening.

Result: Cardiff Devils 3–1 Glasgow Clan 

Cardiff Devils scorers:

24:29 — Connor Caponi (EV) | A: Ben Davies
25:58 — Brandon Estes (EV) | unassisted
59:34 — Joey Martin (EN) | A: Josh MacDonald

Glasgow Clan scorers:

25:20 — Jason Fram (EV) | A: Brett Neumann
Period scores:

  1st 2nd 3rd
CAR 0 2 1
GLA 0 1 0

Goalkeepers: Christian Stoever (CAR); Sami Aittokallio (GLA)

Penalties: None