In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the Elite Ice Hockey League’s top teams, the Cardiff Devils secured an impressive 0-3 victory over the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze, with Mac Carruth earning a stellar 27-shot shutout and Zach O’Brien netting twice at the Skydome Arena.
Entering the contest, the Devils sat at the top of the league while the Blaze held third, making for an exciting and tense first period that ended scoreless despite some solid opportunities. The Devils came close to breaking the deadlock early, narrowly missing when a shot rang off the post of Blaze netminder Mat Robson.
The second period saw the game intensify, and a controversial moment unfolded just over two minutes in when Terrance Amorosa of Coventry took a delay of game penalty. Shortly afterward, Cardiff looked to have scored, but after a lengthy video review, the officials ruled out the goal, confirming the puck had entered the net via a kicking motion.
With the game still deadlocked, the Devils finally capitalised at 39.49. Zach O’Brien connected on a pinpoint pass from Cole Sanford, finishing neatly to give Cardiff the lead just 11 seconds before the end of the period. The Blaze, failing to clear their zone, left O’Brien with a clear opportunity that he buried to take the Devils into the second intermission with a 0-1 lead.
Early in the third period, Cardiff struck again to extend their advantage. Reid Duke took a beautifully timed pass from Evan Mosey at 42.47, breaking through Coventry’s defence and beating Robson one-on-one to make it 0-2.
Despite Coventry’s attempts to rally, any hopes of a comeback were quashed at 51.41 when O’Brien scored his second of the night, cutting into the slot from below the goal line and finding the back of the net with assists from Cody Donaghey and Cole Sanford.
Carruth’s shutout, combined with O’Brien’s offensive prowess, proved decisive as the Devils executed a disciplined game plan that wore down the Blaze, who struggled to convert their chances.
