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CARDIFF DEVILS 3 SHEFFIELD STEELERS 1

Cardiff Devils made history as they won their first ever play-off title in Elite League history and first since the old Super League era in 1999.

Matt Pope, Andrew Hotham and Jake Morissette were the history makers as Andrew Lord’s men got their revenge after missing out in a dramatic 6-5 double overtime loss last year.

While this final perhaps wasn’t as high tempo and manic as the meeting 12 months ago, it was every bit as tense as Devils needed an empty net to be sure of silverware.

While there were plenty of chances throughout a fairly hectic first period, both teams had nothing to show for their efforts.

Cardiff’s first chance come a few minutes later when a scramble kicked off in front of Ervins Mustukovs’ crease, with Joey Haddad getting a touch on it, but no killer finish.

Joey Martin was denied for the Devils after the Steelers’ goalie coughed up a rebound after Josh Batch had tested him.

A cross ice pass from the left found Justin Faryna on the doorstep, but unable to convert as Mustukovs read it to deny him.

Steelers had a couple of half decent chances when Mark Matheson and Tim Wallace both tried efforts on Bowns, that were stopped.

The league champions open the door after 25 minutes when Joey Martin played assist maker for Matt Pope, who lashed a blue line shot over Mustukovs’ shoulder.

Ben O’Connor tried to level, but again found Bowns in top form, while Tyson Strachan, up the other end, tried a one-timer that was deflected over by the Sheffield netminder.

Steelers had arguably their best chance of the game when the puck bounced in the direction of Robert Dowd, free in the centre, but his effort was stopped by Cardiff’s stopper.

Then the second came and it was Devils who were celebrating again as Andrew Hotham cut in from the right and delivered a fabulous shot that flew over Mustukovs’ blocker and into the net.

Layne Ulmer almost added a third when his shot from outside the crease, from Faryna’s pass saw Sheffield’s netminder equal to it.

But soon, the Steelers had a lifeline with 13 minutes to go when Eric Neiley fired his shot over Bowns’ glove and into the net, halving the deficit to one.

Cardiff held their nerve in the final stages and the fans were only able to breathe when Jake Morissette finished the empty netter with 17 seconds to go and the celebrations began.