By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-19 20:33:15 | Updated at 2025-01-19 23:15:46
2 hours ago
Image source, James Assinder
Joey Martin, Cole Sandford and Tyler Busch celebrate Devils' opening goal
Cardiff Devils defeated French side Bruleurs de Loups 6-1 to win the Continental Cup and claim a first European title.
Devils become only the second British side to win a European competition after Nottingham Panthers won the cup in 2017.
A sell-out Vindico Arena erupted when Tyler Busch gave Devils a sixth minute lead against the run of play.
Grenoble-based Bruleurs de Loups equalised 10 minutes later with a goal from Aurelien Dair.
Devils went back ahead on the 23rd minute when Kohen Olischefski put Great Britain forward Brett Perlini in on a one-on-one with Slovenian national keeper Matija Pintaric to score.
Perlini was back among the goals seven minutes later, pouncing on a re-bound after Bayley Harewood's attempt was blocked.
Devils in dreamland
Devils then scored two goals in quick succession to round off the second period. Josh MacDonald and Cole Sandford both slotted home to give them a commanding 5-1 lead going into the final period.
Perlini fired into an empty goal in the final minute to claim his hat-trick as celebrations began.
Devils' victory is the ninth title in the 10 seasons since the club was acquired by the ownership team of Steve King, Brian Parker, Kelly Hughes and Craig Shostak - all of whom were in attendance at the Vindico.
Since that summer of 2014, Devils fans have had some memorable nights with wins in the Challenge Cup, the Playoffs and taking the Elite League title.
This one will go down long in the memory and it was fitting Devils celebrated the Continental Cup in front of a home crowd.
