Storm Fight Back to Claim Dramatic Shootout Victory Over Devils

The Storm battled back from an early two-goal deficit to outlast the Devils and secure an important 4-3 victory following a penalty shootout.

The visitors showed no signs of bus legs as they rapidly sprung out of the traps to establish a two-goal cushion inside the opening six minutes. A well-directed effort from an acute angle by Oligny sailed over DeRidder’s shoulder to kick-start an entertaining encounter. The Devils doubled their advantage through a touch of fortune, as Oligny threw an effort towards the net which ricocheted behind DeRidder, with Caron credited as the last skater to touch the puck.

The second period saw the Storm finally impose themselves on the game, maintaining sustained pressure in the offensive zone before Johnson deftly redirected Dow’s point shot just 32 seconds into the middle stanza. Further pressure from the hosts saw them continue to test Stoever between the Cardiff pipes, with the import netminder doing well to preserve his side’s slender advantage.

Having withstood significant pressure around their own net, the Devils broke away through Estes, whose initial effort was denied by DeRidder before Caron swept home the rebound to restore Cardiff’s two-goal lead, albeit against the run of play.

Back-to-back power-play opportunities presented themselves for the Storm at the beginning of the final period, and when neither was converted, the team bench wore a small but palpable look of anguish. However, a costly giveaway at the back by Cardiff saw the puck fall to Johnson, who worked a beautiful one-two with Dudek before tapping home from within the blue paint.

The hosts continued to press for an equaliser, and eventually their efforts were rewarded with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. A heads-up play from Dow saw him drive deep into the Cardiff zone and corral the puck before throwing it into the danger area. The loose puck fell to McGauley, who snapped home from close range to send the game into overtime.

A cagey overtime period produced few clear-cut scoring opportunities, as two of the league’s premier netminders prepared to battle it out in the penalty shootout.

Maksimovich’s early shootout goal would ultimately prove to be the difference-maker, as DeRidder comfortably turned aside the visitors’ attempts to ensure both points remained in the North.

By: Callum Schora