Giants hand Devils first home defeat of EIHL season

Cardiff Devils suffered their first home defeat of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as Belfast Giants claimed a 4-1 win at Vindico Arena.

The Devils had boasted a 100% home record across 14 league, cup, and pre-season matches in 2026-27.

After a goalless first period, Belfast scored twice in the second through David Goodwin on the powerplay and Scott Conway.

Logan Cockerill extended the visitors' lead early in the third, before Thomas Caron claimed his first Devils goal.

However, the Giants restored their three-goal advantage with a Kaleb Pearson penalty shot.

"With and without the puck, everything was tedious and looked like really hard work," said Devils head coach Paul Thompson.

"Take nothing away from Belfast they totally deserved the win and we just couldn't get it going."

Cardiff remain top of the EIHL standings, with nine points from six games before hosting Guildford Flames on Saturday, 31 October.

The Welsh club have also been confirmed as Challenge Cup semi-finalists following Sheffield Steelers 5-2 win against Manchester Storm.

However, Devils back-to-back Cup wins last weekend - 4-2 at Nottingham Panthers and 1-0 at home to Steelers - could explain his side's lack-lustre showing against Belfast according to Thompson.

"I don't make excuses and I think our fans know that," added the veteran coach.

"I mean we're deeply disappointed but I know I pushed a lot of players and played a lot of players a lot of minutes last weekend and today we just looked like we didn't have any jump.

"We were second to every puck and I know my own team, and I know how they can perform, and we weren't even at 50% of where I think that was and maybe the weekend took more out of us than I thought it would."