Ice Hockey: Ulmer on fire as Devils douse Blaze challenge

Jeff Ulmer made a stunning start to his Cardiff Devils career by grabbing a hat-trick in the 4-1 win at Coventry Blaze.

An Ulmer brace and one from Frank Evans put Devils in control at the Skydome. Ulmer sealed an impressive road win for the Welsh outfit before Graham Schlender, with his first goal for the Blaze, broke Eoin McInerney's shut-out. McInerney was given the man-of-the-match award after making 37 saves.

The Devils coach, Glenn Mulvenna, said: "Ulmer is a class player. He has great hands and with Vezio Sacratini, they are going to be a handful for any team to deal with."

Belfast Giants and Sheff-ield Steelers fought out an eight-goal thriller in a top-of-the-table Elite League clash at the Odyssey Arena.

Todd Kelman and Colin Ward put Belfast 2-0 ahead, but Brent Bobyck responded for unbeaten Sheffield. Joel Irving then levelled the score on the powerplay, while Belfast had Jason Bowen ejected after an altercation with Gerad Adams.

Irving put Sheffield ahead for the first time, but two goals by the captain, Jason Ruff, handed the initiative back to Belfast. Erik Anderson, though, forced overtime in which neither side could find a winner.