Ice Hockey: Chinn takes on Warriors: Cardiff Devils back at the top

CARDIFF DEVILS, having beaten Basingstoke Beavers 8-5 in midweek, resumed control at the top of the British League Premier Division, beating Whitley Warriors 8-4 to go a point clear of Murrayfie1d Racers with two games in hand.

At the beginning of the second period, the Devils hardly looked winners when trailing 4-2. Six goals without reply was the answer, Nicky Chinn scoring three of them.

By contrast, Racers had it slightly easier against lowly Billingham Bombers, who had won just two of their 11 previous matches. They were never in the hunt in this one. Racers winning won the first period 5-1, smothered a Billingham comeback in the second to maintain an 8-5 lead and won the match 12-6 to take their tally in two matches against Bombers to 29.

Sheffield Steelers do not travel well and two games north of the border saw them lose to Fife Flyers and Racers. The first period of the first game ended 2-2, but Fife stuck to their task and three goals from Neil Smith in the second period saw them go 6-3 up on the way to winning 9-4.

Racers, missing several unfit players, controlled the game and were 6-2 ahead at the end of the second period. Steelers revived, scoring five in the last period, but still lost 9-7.

In the First Division, Trafford Metros, despite being without the suspended Oleg Sinkov and Kel Land, managed two draws. The first was against Dumfries Vikings, where Metros led 5-3 at the end of the second period. It finished 6-6.

Against Slough Jets on Sunday, they went 2-0 down in five minutes but then scored three to take the lead. Scott Rex levelled the scores with a goal late in the second period and the third remained goalless.