Ice Hockey: Devils' win is double delight

CARDIFF DEVILS are top of the Premier Division thanks to 11-5 and 12-2 wins over Teesside Bombers and Whitley Warriors, writes Steve Pinder. Cardiff's strength in depth was the key - no relying on imports to get the puck in the net for them - Nicky Chinn scored three in both games and was joined by six other scorers.

Behind the attack, Jason Wood, the goaltender, also impressed. He faced 65 shots over the weekend to concede just five goals (Sean Ward, his deputy, let in the other two).

Fife Flyers dropped two points, going down 6-3 to Nottingham Panthers and suffering their first home defeat since September. The following evening, Panthers lost 6-5 to Murrayfield Racers through a goal by Paul Pentland with 20 seconds left.

The surprising result of the weekend was at Fife, where Durham Wasps lost by a remarkable 15-3. Elsewhere, Russell Jackson, the goaltender for Medway Bears of the First Division, managed to be dismissed before his match at Milton Keynes Kings had started. His offence? Not removing his helmet for the National Anthem.