Cardiff Devils beat Coventry Blaze 1-2 at the Skydome Arena on Saturday evening to take first-leg advantage in their EIHL quarter-final, overturning a first-period deficit through Mosey and Kontos goals in the second period before defending their lead through a tense, penalty-heavy third period. Sanford assisted both Cardiff second-period goals alongside Kontos - who scored the second and assisted the first - making the Mosey-Kontos-Sanford combination the decisive thread of a match that turned entirely in the second period.

Coventry had won two of their last two coming in and led after the first period, but couldn't find a response after Cardiff's second-period turnaround. Cardiff - who had won four of their last five - carry a first-leg lead back to Wales heading into the second match.

Coventry lead at the break - second period turns the match

Constable gave Coventry the lead at 14:40 from Vertanen's assist. Boysen was penalised for tripping at 17:04 shortly after without Cardiff converting. The first period ended 1-0 to Coventry and the home side were in control.

Simultaneous roughing calls at 20:00 - Mismash for Coventry and Helgesen for Cardiff - preceded Cardiff's decisive second period. Oligny was penalised for roughing at 21:20 without consequence. Mosey then levelled at 24:45 from Kontos and Sanford, and Kontos scored the go-ahead goal at 31:51 from Yaremko and Sanford - the same Kontos-Sanford partnership, reversing scorer and assister roles in consecutive goals. Russell was penalised for slashing at 34:52 but Coventry couldn't convert.

The second period ended 2-1 to Cardiff.

Third period - Coventry penalised twice, Cardiff call a timeout

The third period was tight. Olischefski was penalised for elbowing at 43:47 and Russell for slashing again at 47:25, giving Coventry power plays they couldn't convert on. Cardiff called their timeout at 57:47 - simultaneously as Barriga was penalised for tripping - which may have been tactical, giving their team a moment to reorganise while Coventry faced a power play in the closing stages. Neither the power play nor the pressure that followed it produced an equaliser, and Cardiff held on for a 2-1 first-leg win.


Result: Coventry Blaze 1 – 2 Cardiff Devils
Coventry Blaze scorers: Constable 14:40 (A: Vertanen)
Cardiff Devils scorers: Mosey 24:45 (A: Kontos, Sanford) - Kontos 31:51 (A: Yaremko, Sanford)
Goaltenders: Mat Robson (COV) | Christian Stoever (CAR)