A long night for the Steelers and their army of orange army fans who travelled to Wales for the final league game of the season.
After a 1-0 first period, the Devils took charge in the middle session and moved into a lead 4-0 after 40 minutes. A scoreless final period followed and the game ended in defeat for Aaron Fox’s side.
Steelers will now play Manchester Storm next weekend in the play offs whilst the Devils take on Coventry Blaze.
No Marco Vallerand for the Steelers, Brandon McNally returns after his 2 game suspension and Sam Jones serves the 3rd of his three game suspension.
Matt Greenfield is rested and Haden Lavigne starts.
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First Period.
A feisty last game of the season down in Cardiff, with the Steelers cemented in 3rd place, one above the Devils.
Niklas Nevalainen was sent to the box after just 14 seconds as the Devils pressed from the start.
Steelers thought they had scored shortly after the Nevalainen penalty was killed as Niklas looked like he had scored his first of the season, the goal was wiped away for goalie interference.
Moments later Brendan Connolly took a 2 plus 10 misconduct penalty for comments to the officials about the disallowed goal
Steelers killed the second penalty as Lavigne impressed in his fist start.
18.35 and with the period looking like it was going to end scoreless Justin Crandall beat Lavigne with an accurate shot.
With 7 seconds on the clock the returning Brandon McNally was called for spearing taking a 5 minute penalty and a game misconduct.
A huge kill awaits the Steelers in the second period.
Second Period
Steelers all but killed the five minute major against McNally, however with just 35 seconds remaining Josh Brittain picked up on a rebound to double the Devils advantage.
31.25 and Steelers defence opened up after a bad line change and Justin Crandall took full advantage to make it 3-0
Then with just 2.44 remaining in the period Josh Waller fired past Lavigne to add a 4th
Devils 4-0 Steelers after 40 minutes
This Period
The final period ended with Steelers creating and trying to break the Ben Bowns shut out but to no avail.
Saves were made, cross bars were hit but Steelers couldn’t capitalise – even when Josh Brittain took a holding the stick minor at 44.44
The regular season comes to an end with a 3rd place Finnish behind league champions Belfast and runners up, Guildford.
Steelers take on Manchester Storm next Saturday in the 2nd leg of the play off quarter final.
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