Cardiff Devils returned to the top of the EIHL table by beating Guildford Flames
- Published19 minutes ago
Cardiff Devils responded to their first home defeat of the season with a resounding 6-1 win over Guildford Flames at Vindico Arena.
Having suffereda 4-1 loss to Belfast Giantson Wednesday evening, Devils recorded their biggest win of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) so far.
A fast start saw the Devils shoot to a four-goal lead inside the first quarter, with Nolan Yaremko, Brandon Estes, Panu Mieho and Ryan Barrow scoring.
Yaremko added his second and Kohen Olischefski got in on the act in the second period before Justin Ducharme scored a consolation for the visitors.
The win moves Devils back to the top of the table with 11 points from seven games, one ahead of both Giants, who have played a game fewer, and Sheffield Steelers.
"I'm really happy. We let ourselves down with a horror show against Belfast on Wednesday, but I know the character of my team," said Devils head coach Paul Thompson.
"We challenged them hard after that game, and like the good men and players I know they are, they responded.
"We gave up 14 shots all night. Guildford looked more dangerous on the PK (penalty kill) than they did five-on-five. That is credit to our all-around game."
Defeat ended Guildford's two-game league-winning run, though this is not their heaviest defeat of the season, having lost 10-2 against Fife Flyers.
Devils are back in Challenge Cup at Manchester Storm on Sunday, 1 November, while Flames host Glasgow Clan, who are yet to win a point, in the EIHL.
