In a Sunday of pre-season action, Sheffield Steelers and Guildford Flames made their home debuts for the season across five games.
Cardiff Devils made it a weekend double against Sheffield Steelers thanks to a 3-1 win at the Utilita Arena.
After Panu Mieho put the visitors into a first-period lead, goals from Kohen Olischefski and then Riley Brandt put the Devils three ahead by the 30:18 mark. Ryan Tait was found in front by Mitchell Balmas at 53:14 to pull one back for the Steelers, but that was all they could manage on their home debut for the new season.
In Belfast, the Giants ended their series with Herlev Eagles by repaying the favour from Friday with an overtime win of their own. Kaleb Pearson put them one up inside two minutes, but Joseph Jonsson levelled the game with just under seven minutes to go. JJ Piccinich won it on a breakaway in overtime, 89 seconds into the extra period.
Over in Dundee, the Stars continued their excellent pre-season with another win, beating Kyiv Capitals 6-3. They were a goal down after 1:36 but levelled through Maxim Eliseev, fell behind again just past the 11-minute mark, but levelled on 17 minutes through Matthew DeBoer before going ahead at 19:05 thanks to Gary Haden.
Ben Brown and Brodi Stewart added to that lead in the third before Ville Rautiala pulled one back, but captain Travis Ewanyk found the empty net to score the game’s final goal.
Coventry Blaze stayed perfect in pre-season with an overtime win over Gothiques d’Amiens. Andrew Nielsen tied the game in period two, before Tanner Kaspick saw the puck bounce off him to put the hosts ahead on 35 minutes. Virgile Gauffriau and then Kieran Craig put Amiens ahead by the 37:50 mark. Elijiah Barriga then scored a silky between-the-legs goal to put the visitors two ahead with just over 10 minutes to play. Carsen Musser pulled one back for the Blaze, before Nick Grimpa levelled with 69 seconds remaining to force overtime.
Matthew Gleason converted a penalty shot in OT to give the Blaze the win.
Guildford Flames were big winners again over Bristol Pitbulls, winning 9-1 in their first game back on home ice. Tyler Busch, Brett Neumann, Cole Sanford, Mathieu Gosselin and Matt Alvaro put the Flames five ahead with less than eight minutes played. Jack Jacome ensured it was six before the period was out, while Elliot Lewis with a wrist shot and Karl Boudrias from distance made it eight without reply.
Bristol got on the board with 6:05 to play through Nils Maskalans, with Jake Willets ending the scoring for the hosts with 3:36 to go.
Photo: John Uwins
