Cardiff Devils stayed in the chase at the top of the table with a one-goal win over a short-benched Glasgow Clan team on Sunday afternoon.
Christian Stoever logged a 33-shot shutout to secure the win for the Devils.
There were no goals in the opening period. While Clan started brightly, the Devils carried the majority of the play. Kohen Olischefski almost opened the scoring in the final seconds of the first with a scramble in front of Lucas Brine, but the puck trickled just wide.
Stoever was called into action early in the second period, producing a double save to keep the Clan out.
The Devils took the lead through Riley Brandt, who beat Brine top shelf to open the scoring with 26:04 played. Rylan Schwartz should have tied the game but shot wide from close range. In the final seconds of the period, Clan again went close to equalising, but Stoever dove across his crease and was aided by the post to keep the Devils ahead.
Early in the third, a diving play by Brady Risk denied Cole Sanford at the far post with Brine beaten. Clan were the stronger side in the period and created good chances to level, including an effort from Tristin Langan that drew a strong save from Stoever, who also denied the follow-up attempt.
Brine was pulled with 96 seconds remaining for the extra skater, and the Devils were then assessed a bench minor for too many players on the ice, giving Clan a two-man advantage for the final 40 seconds. Despite several close-range chances, the Clan could not find a way past Stoever, and the Devils held on for the victory.
Photo: James Assinder
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