Two goals from Cole Sanford helped Cardiff Devils roar themselves into the Champions Hockey League as they left Lausanne beaten in a 4-1 success.
The Devils were keen to turn things around after not only the heavy 5-0 loss to Adler Mannheim on Thursday, but the manner of the defeat as well.
With Jarrod Skalde and Neil Francis still missing from the bench because of Covid protocols plus Ben Davies and Josh Batch absent from the team, Devils turned to Manchester Storm D-man Zach Sullivan to fill a gap after Mark Louis picked up an injury.
Needless to say, this was a much improved display from Cardiff, reflected by the scoreline and finally showed their Group C credentials to leave the fans feeling much more positive.
🚨! 🇬🇧 forward Sam Duggan fires it home and the @cardiffdevils lead 4-1! #ChampionsGoBeyond pic.twitter.com/tuvGGnrNDX
— Champions Hockey League (@championshockey) August 28, 2021
It took the home side just over five minutes to open the scoring when Brodie Reid played in a delightful pass circle to circle, finding Cole Sanford on the left, who swept it into the net past Lausanne goalie Luca Boltshauser.
The powerplay finish certainly set the tone for this second game of the Champions Hockey League campaign fans although the Swiss side pushed, they couldn’t find a way through.
Devils doubled their advantage in the early stages of the second period when Brodie Reid turned on the right wing, entered the face off circle and sent in a diagonal puck that found its way in at the back post.
Devils turned around their loss to Mannheim on Thursday to beat Lausanne (PHOTO: David Williams)
They were soon reminded of the challenge in front of them when Lausanne hit back with a goal of their own 22 seconds later when Ken Jäger found the net to halve the deficit.
The game was on a knife edge, but when the Devils struck again inside the opening minute of the third period.
Trevor Cox surged down the left and picked out Sanford, who was arriving at the back post, getting the touch needed to take it into the net and restore the two-goal lead.
They got the goal to make it safe 12 minutes from time when Devils captain Mark Richardson provided the assist for Sam Duggan, who tucked it away to clinch a massive victory for the home side.
