Devils' title hopes going up in smoke

Ice hockey

STEVE PINDER

Cardiff Devils' chances of winning the Premier Division league title all but disappeared over the weekend with two odd goal defeats by Fife Flyers and Durham Wasps. Given the games left to play, and the fact that Devils and Sheffield Steelers meet on Sunday, Devils need Steelers to lose all of their last three and they must win their last two. Steelers play Nottingham Panthers tomorrow night needing just one point for the title.

Fife led the Devils in the first two periods, Chris Palmer and Les Millie making it 2-0 at the end of the first, and they were 4-1 up at the end of second. Devils opened the third period with four goals to Millie's one to tie the game at 5-5 and, with two minutes, left Kevin St Jacques secured the win for Flyers.

Against Wasps, the Devils levelled with 15 minutes to go only for Ross Lambert to score two minutes from the end to give Wasps a 4-3 win.

In the First Division, the champions, Manchester Storm, had three home games in five days watched by around 38,000 people, which should ensure the side are automatically elected to the Super League that looks likely to start next season.