Cardiff Devils beat Belfast Giants for the first time this season on Saturday night at a sold-out Vindico Arena.
Jackson Whistle was outstanding throughout, starting with a key save late in the first period when he slid across his crease to deny Josh MacDonald’s one-timer. That theme continued all evening, with Whistle producing another excellent stop in the final period to rob Cedric Lacroix from point-blank range.
With 3.12 left in the opening period, the Giants had a goal washed out on video review for goalie interference after Ben Bowns’ pad was moved to free a covered puck before it was put in.
The Devils opened the scoring just past the 35-minute mark. Jimmy Oligny’s shot from the point went all the way through, possibly with a touch from Kohen Olischefski in front.
Cardiff doubled their lead 2.26 into the third. Ryan Barrow drove the net and Brett Perlini reacted to a loose puck created by Whistle’s poke check to make it 2–0.
With 14.35 remaining, JJ Piccinich cut the deficit, given time and space to pick his spot past Bowns and get the Giants on the board.
Whistle was pulled with 2.12 to play and the Giants came close to levelling when Jordan Kawaguchi forced a chance in tight, but Cardiff cleared. Lacroix missed the empty net from centre ice, while Bowns made a series of important saves in the final moments. A rebound from a Mike Lee shot struck the post just as Bowns covered the puck on the buzzer to seal the Devils’ win.
Photo: James Assinder
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